At the Bowen Island Community Foundation Annual Meeting on May 4, 2018, $37,500 in grants was awarded to support important community initiatives. These grants are made possible by generous community donations. The funded projects are all responsive to the community’s needs identified in the 2017 Vital Conversations report and were awarded from the Foundation’s Community Impact Grants.
| Organization | Project | Grant Amount |
| Bowen Island Public Library Foundation & Bowen Island Arts Council | The Cove Commons Community Plaza | $11,500 |
| Bowen Island Montessori School Society | Diversity and Inclusion Programming | $2,500 |
| Snug Cove House Society | Assessment of Seniors’ Needs on Bowen | $12,500 |
| Bowfest Committee & the Bowen Island Royal Canadian Legion | Sponsorship of the Main Stage at Bowfest Community Event | $4,000 |
| Bowen Island Youth Centre | Girl Power and Boy Power Programming for Youth | $2,500 |
| Bowen Bike Park Group | Bowen Bike Park | $4,500 |
| Total Grants | $37,500 |
Organizations: Bowen Island Public Library Foundation & Bowen Island Arts Council
Project: The Cove Commons Community Plaza
Grant Amount: $11,500
Vital Conversations Priority: Create Gathering Places for All
The Bowen Island Public Library Foundation and the Bowen Island Arts Council have successfully partnered on the construction of the Cove Commons, a new community space in the heart of Snug Cove. A vital ingredient in the creation of this community gathering place is the development of a public plaza on the grounds surrounding the Cove Commons and the Library. This grant from the Community Foundation will go towards seating, a stage area, and lighting on the plaza. The public plaza will be a fitting terminus for the Garden Gateway, leading visitors and locals along the landscaped ferry arrival path onto a beautifully landscaped public plaza. Envisioned as a multi-functional outdoor gathering space, the plaza is part courtyard, part town square, and part garden. The plaza will be a gathering place for all; a beautiful outdoor space in the heart of our community where everyone is welcome to gather, relax, learn, share and connect.
Organization: Bowen Island Montessori School Society
Project: Diversity and Inclusion Programming
Grant Amount: $2,500
Vital Conversations Priority: Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion
Bowen Island Montessori School (BIMS) offers schooling from the ages of 2.5 years to 6 years. A core tenet of their philosophy rests on the understanding that difference provides vital opportunities for internal growth; in developing an awareness of one’s place and responsibility as an individual. To be responsive to this core tenet, BIMS has prioritized the need to strengthen its current multicultural curriculum. The celebration of diversity and inclusion is one of the priorities from Vital Conversations. Because we think of our community as generally welcoming and inclusive, a sensitive subject like diversity can be uncomfortable to discuss. Concerns and issues that might benefit from dialogue are perhaps left unspoken. Addressing these issues candidly and openly could be transformative. The grant from the Community Foundation will enhance the school’s programming toward building a curriculum that provides more opportunities to dive deeper into cultural exploration through cooking, arts, training and educational resources that foster an outward approach to the world at large. BIMS plans to implement the revamped multicultural curriculum in September 2018. The programming will be integrated throughout the entire school curriculum. Students engagement in an enhanced multicultural program will enhance personal understanding, awareness, mutual respect, that prioritizes inclusion for all families of our community; thus, creating a more equitable environment for all. Canadian schools are the engine of integration. It’s where children learn what it means to be Canadian.
Organization: Snug Cove House Society
Project: Assessment of Seniors’ Needs on Bowen
Grant Amount: $12,500
Vital Conversations Priority: Take Care of our Seniors in All We Do
For twenty years Snug Cove House Society has been working to finance and build a seniors’ supportive living residence on Bowen Island. This major project has dominated the work of the Society and is finally coming to fruition with the residence being built in 2019. The Society can now turn to its broader mandate of being an advocate for seniors on Bowen. With this grant from the Community Foundation, the Society will develop a comprehensive understanding of Bowen’s senior population, the services needed, and current gaps in support. The project will include: (1) a comprehensive research study that seeks input from seniors, their caregivers, and service organizations to clearly understand the needs and priorities of our seniors; (2) a review of other community best practices in supporting and providing services to seniors; (3) a review of current service providers on Bowen focused on seniors and the gaps between what we offer and what our seniors need; and (4) a report that presents the findings, priorities, and recommendations for serving our seniors and maintaining and improving their quality of life on Bowen. Helping our seniors should be a part of the fabric of our culture. Our community must include our seniors, help take care of them, and celebrate what they have to offer.
Organizations: Bowfest Committee & the Bowen Island Royal Canadian Legion
Project: Sponsorship of the Main Stage at Bowfest Community Event
Grant Amount: $4,000
Vital Conversations Priority: Create Gathering Places for All
Bowfest is a vital part of the Bowen Island community. It is an opportunity for Islanders of all ages to come together and celebrate what makes Bowen wonderful! In 2018, Bowfest will celebrate 42 years as an island-tradition. From joining in or enjoying the parade; listening and dancing to live music in Crippen Park; participating in rides, games, contests, crafts and exhibits; to enjoying local food; and running into old and new friends and neighbours. This event has something for everyone, promotes our love of community and celebrates our rural roots. The grant from the Bowen Island Community Foundation will allow the committee to continue to provide high quality entertainment and reduce entry fees to the event for adults and seniors to increase accessibility to the event. Last year, the committee was able to reduce fees to allow children under 18 free access while charging all adults only $10. This year, the plan is to maintain the no-cost entry for under 18’s plus reduce entry fees for adults even further. This would allow even more Bowen Islanders to participate in this great tradition. This event is the height of our summer on Bowen and brings together long-time residents, part-time residents, newcomers and visitors while celebrating and building our rural roots and customs. It is an essential and unique summer experience, and integral to our community culture.
Organization: Bowen Island Youth Centre
Project: Girl Power and Boy Power Programming for Youth
Grant Amount: $2,500
Vital Conversations Priority: Support Our Youth
The Bowen Island Youth Centre has operated for over 20 years to help Bowen youth reach their full potential. In addition to providing a safe place for kids 12-18 to gather and engage with friends and their community, the Centre offers numerous events and programs. “Girl Power” series began in 2017 and offers four-week sessions of different activities for girls 11-16 including Boxercise, songwriting, yoga, improvisational theatre, drawing, and dance. This series has been very well received with community members suggesting additional programming ideas as well as a “Boy Power” series. The grant from the Community Foundation will go towards funding instructor fees and supplies for an expanded “Girl Power” and new “Boy Power” series. Ideas for upcoming sessions include auto mechanics, app building, scholarship applications, and starting your own business. The Centre plans to expand these sessions to six times per year and give Bowen youth an on-island activity option that will expose them to new skills, influences and activities.
Organization: Bowen Bike Park Group
Project: Bowen Bike Park
Grant Amount: $4,500
Vital Conversations Priority: Support Our Youth
On April 22, 2018, more than 200 people attended the opening of the Bowen Bike Park. On a 0.425 acre land parcel on Lot 2 of the Community Lands adjacent to the community school, this park is envisioned to be a place for Bowen Island youth and families to build biking skills, recreate outdoors and gather together. The Bike Park Group designed and built the Park through grants, cash and in-kind donations. The grant from the Community Foundation helps achieve the final fund-raising goal for the Group and pay the outstanding expenses for the Park. The Bike Park had significant public and municipal support. Local construction companies provided equipment and labour for the project. And Bowen youth and parents pitched in their labour where and when they could. The Bike Park will be owned and operated by the Municipality who will undertake appropriate inspections and maintenance and will provide insurance for operations. The Bike Park will provide outdoor recreation and a gathering space for our growing youth and family population for many years to come.