Stigma-Free Society creates COVID-19 Youth Wellness Toolkit with credit union’s support
Surrey, BC – Coast Capital Savings’ recently launched Community Relief Fund is already making a very real difference for small businesses and non-profits impacted by COVID-19.
The credit union’s $400,000 fund was developed to deliver flexible grants to community organizations and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund focuses on frontline non-profit organizations facing increased demands related to food security, support for the homeless, mental health, and employment resiliency and small businesses that have immediate, urgent needs.
“In a time where we are all grappling with the impacts of this global pandemic, Coast Capital Savings has leaned into our cooperative roots to offer help,” said Maureen Young, Director, Community Leadership, Coast Capital Savings. “Our non-profit sector is working overtime to support those most vulnerable due to the impacts of COVID, while also struggling to remain viable. That is no small feat and we continue to be are humbled by the work that they are doing and ability to adapt to the changing circumstances.”
One of the early recipients of funding from Coast Capital’s relief fund is the Stigma-Free Society. Focused on combating stigma of all kinds through education, support, and leadership, the society educates more than 10,000 students per year through their programming.
With COVID-19’s profound impact on the mental wellness of Canadians and people across the globe, the society saw a real need to help children, parents and educators manage the challenges that the pandemic has presented. Stigma-Free applied for granting through the credit union’s Community Relief Fund to develop their COVID-19 toolkit.
“Our mission at the Stigma-Free Society is to foster programs that educate and provide peer support for youth and adults,” says Andrea Paquette, President of the Stigma-Free Society. “Given the impact that COVID-19 continues to have on mental health, this toolkit is helping our communities navigate the challenges and support those who are struggling. Without the generous funding from Coast Capital, we wouldn’t have been able to build these resources as we too are feeling the financial implications brought on by the current health crisis. We are so thankful that, despite these unprecedented times, Coast Capital has prioritized helping their communities through these grants.”
Coast Capital Savings continues to accept applications from non-profit organizations aiding the frontlines at this time. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://www.coastcapitalsavings.com/
About Coast Capital Savings
Coast Capital Savings is Canada’s largest credit union by membership and B.C.’s first credit union to become a federal credit union. Owned by its 593,000 members, Coast Capital offers banking and investment services digitally across Canada, and through its 52 branches in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Okanagan, and Vancouver Island regions of British Columbia.
An Imagine Canada Caring Company and a Certified B Corporation in recognition of its social performance, Coast Capital invests 10 per cent of its bottom line into the community with a focus on youth-centric organizations, programs, partnerships and events. The credit union has been recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures™, and holds a Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation. Coast Capital has a history of introducing innovative products to help their members achieve financial wellbeing including Canada’s first free chequing account from a full-service financial institution and Help Extras®, enabling members to invest in their future. To learn more, visit coastcapitalsavings.com.
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