LVI Project Launch – Empowerment Project for Nanaimo Women’s Centre

May/11/16

This post is a copy of the original press release for the 2016 LVI project titled “Empowerment Project” by Team Power Rangers:

“Empowerment Project” Launches to Support Women’s Centre

The Nanaimo Women’s Centre is in the process of renovations aimed at increasing service levels, thanks to an initiative dubbed the “Empowerment Project,” launched by local organization Leadership Vancouver Island.

After moving last year to a new location downtown, the Centre was in need of renovations to add a kitchen and a wheelchair accessible bathroom.

“The lack of a kitchen space has meant we are no longer able to offer our cooking programs on location,” says Lesley Clarke, Executive Director of the Women’s Centre. “The kitchen is also of vital importance to the daily interactions we have with our clientele the loss of a space to break bread and talk informally has been keenly felt by staff and clients.”

The lack of a wheelchair accessible washroom was also limiting their ability to offer services to those in wheelchairs, or with other disabilities.

After placing a call out on their website for community support, the project was discovered and taken up by a team of students from the Leadership Vancouver Island program, a community-focused, grassroots leadership development program that aims to inspire and build capacity for outstanding leadership, learning and service.

“Part of our program includes selection and support for a community project of our choosing,” said Sarah Bromley, program participant. “We knew we wanted to choose a project which would have an impact on those who need it most in our community. When we found out about the Women’s Centre’s need for these renovations, it immediately hit the hearts of each of our team members.”

The renovation project is currently underway, thanks to support from Slegg, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, RBC, the Nanaimo Port Authority, and a few other financial sponsors & trades volunteers. However, the team is only about half way to the fundraising goal required to purchase the kitchen appliances required to meet health & safety standards.

“We’ve been incredibly lucky to have a number of tradespeople and businesses offer services & supplies,” says Bromley, “but there are still a few items that require cash in order for us to acquire. We are currently looking for a few more people in the community businesses, organizations, or individuals that are able to help with these costs.” Charitable donation tax receipts are available for all donations to the project.

Those who would like to find out more about the project or to donate can visit the Women’s Centre website, at www.bit.ly/empowermentproject. If you would like to find out more about Leadership Vancouver Island, visit www.leadershipvi.com.