LOVE
Community Partnerships
In 2020 St Saviour's was a recipient of a significant bequest from the estate of the Matheson family of Penticton. By a vote of the full-member body of the congregation, a portion (nearly $20,000) of that bequest was set aside as a Community Partnerships Fund intended to support local work done in the community of Penticton and beyond which lined up with the mission and values of St Saviour's Parish.
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As a Christian community, two of St Saviour's foundational principles, found in our baptismal vow, are to:
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Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbours as ourselves.
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Strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.
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To date we've completed two phases of the Community Partnerships Initiative, with an expense totalling nearly $6,000.
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PHASE #1 (Summer 2021)
In phase one St Saviour's distributed a series of small grants to support local registered charities or non-profits in their work with marginalized communities within city of Penticton. $200 grants were distributed to each of:
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Boys and Girls Club in support of their food security program for children and families.
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Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in support of their Thrive sessions, particularly within the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Foundry Penticton – RADAR in support of a lending library for 2SLGBTQIA+ teens looking for supportive written resources.
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Penticton Recovery Resource Society (Discovery House) in support of their Fresh Start program focusing on health and nutrition experience and training for those undergoing addictions recovery treatment.
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South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services (SOICS) in support of their Youth Program community garden initiative.
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PHASE #2 (Spring 2023)
In phase two St Saviour's fully sponsored and hosted a LivingWorks ASIST (suicide first aid) course for our partners in the community. 16 individuals were certified in suicide first aid through this two-day course and a local trainer was able to complete their probationary period. We were able to certify staff or volunteers from a number of community agencies, including:
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Penticton+ Area Overdose Prevention Society (POPS)
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Discovery House
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ASK Wellness Society
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Penticton Foundry
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South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society (SOSBIS)