Grant projects show how community is growing stronger despite distance

By Elias Rieger, Community Programmer (Co-op)

In early May, we launched our Community of Caring grants, which awards up to $500 for projects that support community members during the COVID 19 pandemic. We have been amazed to see how our community has creatively used these funds to stay connected. So far, we have approved over 15 grants for virtual events, care package deliveries, skill-building programs and more!

Stronger Together – A Connected College Community

Stronger Together – A Connected College Community is tackling social isolation for students living in the various colleges on campus, including Green College and St. John’s College. They are offering exercise programs, hip-hop dance classes, yoga sessions and trivia nights – all online! They also coordinated the writing project, "Letters to our Pre-Graduate Student Selves", to take some time to reflect on their past and present experiences. Read their letters online.

Happiness, Shared

Happiness, Shared is a project that obtains “packages of happiness” from local businesses and delivers them to neighbourhood residents. Project leaders are hoping to “deliver happiness” to over 100 people. It has been so successful that it has spread through word-of-mouth to other cities in India, the USA and the UK. One happiness recipient said: “This has been a tough week for my mental health. As a person of colour, I feel like tensions are high, and this little package made me forget about everything going on for a moment.”

Masks for Acadia Park

To promote public health in a more sustainable way, the folks behind Masks for Acadia Park are sewing 150 fabric masks for children and adults living in their neighbourhood. With an array of different patterns – from Star Wars to plants and flowers – these masks are made by the community, for the community.

We’ve watched our community grow stronger over the last few months. We are so excited to see how many students, faculty, staff and residents have stepped up to lead these incredible projects. Discover more inspiring ideas in this listing of all awarded grant projects.

You could be the next recipient of a Community of Caring grant – apply today or by August 31st, 2020 at utown.ubc.ca/caringcommunity