Education without limits

Non Profit ID card: present your project/organisation/campaign

• Where are you based? Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

• What are you called? Shoreline Community School Association (SCSA)

• What are you doing and why? We are a non-profit, community-based organization run by a volunteer board of directors. Our mission statement: “To use our resources to build our community by providing life-long access for all to education, recreation and community support.” Our value statement: “By embracing the diversity within our community, which includes the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations*, Shoreline Community School Association addresses evolving community needs with innovative programming that provides: a positive and progressive influence in the community, maintains a strong working relationship with Shoreline Middle School, ensures and expands accessibility to this public facility, and builds strong working relationships with community partners.

• Do you have a website/email? shoreline.bookking.ca ddennis@sd61.bc.ca

• Do you have a Twitter/facebook link/name? Twitter is set up but we don’t really use it – yet! We’re working on it.

• What makes you so special? SCSA is celebrating 30 years in 2010. We’re special because we are only 1 of 2 active community school associations in Victoria. We provide vital youth programming, affordable community education opportunities, free computer/internet access to the public, Professional Development for School District 61 employees, building access for non-profit children’s and youth athletic groups, additional services/funding /computers/special equipment/musical instruments/playground facilities for Shoreline Middle School.

 

The turning point

• How did you start? SCSA started because this community didn’t have easily accessible public recreation facilities. Many of the people in this area have social and economic challenges that prevent them from being able to send their children to sports or skills clubs/programs/facilities in neighbouring communities. There was also a need for adults in this community to have a place that they could go to for things like First Aid, computer, business, arts/crafts, and general interest courses and training. SCSA provides accessibility to this school building for evening and weekend programming.

• What keeps you going every day? Knowing that we make a difference!

• Who is your target? Citizens of View Royal, Esquimalt and Saanich and the Greater Victoria area.

• How are you financed? Each year we apply for funding from the Townships of View Royal, Esquimalt and Saanich. We also are partially funded by the Provincial Government (British Columbia) Gaming Commission, as well as through grants from local businesses. The Federal Government provides a small amount of money each year to support our Community Access Program (CAP) – which is the free computer/internet service.

The challenge

• A proud moment? Seeing the positive impact of our youth programs on kids who have to cope with very difficult personal circumstances.

• A problem you face? Funding cuts!!

• Your personal motto when things get hard? Focus on the bigger picture!

• Another cool project/organisation/campaign you would like to recommend? Kelly’s Kids – Youth Triathlon Club

First Nations* – is a political term, promoted from within the indigenous community as a substitute for band in referring to any of the numerous aboriginal groups formally recognized by the Canadian government under the federal Indian Act of 1876.