DIDSBURY - Council has approved Family Community Support Services (FCSS) funding totalling $64,000 for community groups and organizations.
The move came by way of motion at the recently regularly scheduled council meeting, held in person and online.
The approvals came following a review of 13 applications by the community services board, which recommended funding allocation amounts. Groups and organizations receiving funding include the following:
• The Boys & Girls Club Olds & District - Didsbury BGC Centre requested $5,000 to create a dedicated drop-in space in Didsbury to provide a safe alternative for youth when they need somewhere to go. In all, $4,000 approved.
• Chinook’s Edge School Division - Family Wellness program requested $37,376 to provide a comprehensive range of prevention and early intervention programs and services during school house. In all, $13,000 was approved.
• Hope 4 MVC Kids - Volunteer Retention requested $2,100 from volunteer training and advertising. In all, $900 was approved.
• Mountain View Emergency Shelter Program - Outreach programs and services requested $7,200 for programming. In all, $7,200 was approved.
• The Olds & District Hospice Society requested $2,750 to promote education, awareness, improve communications, and training. In all, $2,000 was approved.
Mayor Rhonda Hunter says the town would have liked to approved more of the total $156,587 requested by groups and organization but the funding was simply not available.
“The need continues to be there for social funding,” Hunter told the Albertan. “The (provincial) government hasn’t increased that at all for many years so we just continue with our $64,000.
“It is a tough job for the FCSS board and the community services board and it tears at their heartstrings that they can’t give everybody the money they need for the programs they are running.”
Meanwhile, Didsbury FCSS has adopted a new logo in response to a new brand recently adopted by the Family & Community Support Services Association of Alberta.
