Outreach Opportunities Fund

The Outreach Opportunities Fund Committee selects outside organizations to receive a portion of the Sunday offering.

Outreach Opportunities Fund (OOF)

Statement of Purpose:

To distribute 25% of funds collected during the Sunday service to community charities, both those that are independent of the church and those that have some connection to the work of church committees. Priority is given to organizations undertaking social justice, refugee support and settlement and environmental sustainability work with a focus on vulnerable or other marginalized communities. Preference for funding is given to groups working primarily in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Members:

Steven Epperson, Carolyn Grant, Elizabeth Geller and Bruce McIvor

Currently Collecting for:

The new recipient of OOF funding, starting October 1, 2019, will be the Sole Food Street Farms. The recipient was nominated by our Minister, Rev Steven Epperson.

The mission of Sole Food is to transfer vacant urban land in Vancouver into street farms that grow artisan quality fruits and vegetables. By providing jobs, agricultural training, and inclusion in a community of farmers and food lovers, the Sole Food project has empowered dozens of individuals who are managing addictions and chronic mental health problems.

Activities and Accomplishments

In 2017-2018, OOF distributed a total over $8000 to the following organisations:

RAVEN Trust
Qmunity
Portland Hotel Society (to be allocated to the work of the Overdose Prevention Society)
Kiwassa Neighbourhood House (to be allocated to Warriors Against Violence activities)
Community Legal Assistance Society
Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society
Rainbow Refugee Coalition

Representatives from the above organizations gave a short presentation to the congregation on the purpose of their work.

Future Plans

Three organisations will be selected to receive funds from OOF during the next year. In the past, the committee has chosen the recipients but we now ask members of the congregation to nominate local charities for consideration by the committee.

To nominate an organisation please click on this link: OOF Nomination form or take a paper form from the bulletin board at the main entrance to Hewett Hall and leave it in the OOF mailbox in the UCV office or email it to Melody Mason.

OOF Nomination Form

History

Here are some of the organizations we have supported in the past.

2011

Kinbrace

Elizabeth Fry Society $2500

2012

ACORN $2500
BC Coalition of People with Disabilities now the Disability Alliance $2500
Elizabeth Fry Society $1000
Rhizome Movement Building Centre $1500
VAST $1500