Keep NCAA's Advocacy Program Open
Donation protected
Over the last 43 years, we estimate Nanaimo Citizen Advocacy Association (NCAA) has directly helped over 80,000 people in the Nanaimo community.
Now we need your help! To keep our general advocacy program going, we must raise $20,000 by February 2018.
NCAA is about building a healthier and stronger community for all. We help the most disadvantaged people in our community in very real and practical ways:
- Bill was trapped in his home because he couldn’t afford Depends, and NCAA helped.
- Amy & Chris were struggling with sobriety because they couldn’t afford methadone treatment, and NCAA helped.
- Joyce didn’t have enough money to travel to Victoria for her cancer treatments, and NCAA helped.
- George had his disability application denied because he didn’t fill out the form properly, and NCAA helped.
- Miriam’s power and water were cut off by her landlord after an argument between them, and NCAA helped.
- Lucy found herself without a source of income when she turned 65 because she didn’t understand that CPP applications take 4-6 months to process, and NCAA helped.
In each of the above cases NCAA was able to successfully help and alleviate distress. Our expert Advocates work with people on an holistic level. We identify the barriers in their lives, problem solve with them and help find solutions.
For most people, the services and supports they need exist. The problem is that our clients, who mostly live in challenging circumstances and considerable poverty, are unaware of what’s available. Even when they are aware of the supports, they often lack the skills to access them. NCAA connects them to available supports and services, assists with the gathering of information and helps them navigate bureaucracy. Individuals are better for having received our support.
The challenges we now face started with a bumpy transition period following the 2015 retirement of two long-time key employees in the positions of Executive Director and Bookkeeper. It took a while to find replacements that were a good fit and opportunities to secure full funding for this year were missed.
To compound the issue, we have seen a marked increase in the number of people who are trying to access our services. This has increased pressure on staff, making it necessary to provide additional Advocate hours to meet the increasing demand. We can’t turn people away. The significant increases in rental prices have placed inordinate pressure on those already living in poverty. Combine that with the increased acuity of addictions and mental health issues and it becomes clear that our services are needed now more than ever.
The good news is NCAA now has everything we need to bring us through this crisis and come out stronger than before. We have 43 years of experience helping people, expert Advocates, strong community partnerships, two new people in the Executive Director and Bookkeeper positions and new board members, with financial expertise, to guide us.
But we need your help! An influx of cash will carry us through this fiscal year and ensure our advocacy and support services are available. We need people with to donate generously.
With your support, we continue to provide this vital service to some of the most vulnerable in our community who desperately need it.
With deepest appreciation,
The Board and Staff
Nanaimo Citizen Advocacy Association
P.S. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for all donations over $25.00.
Now we need your help! To keep our general advocacy program going, we must raise $20,000 by February 2018.
NCAA is about building a healthier and stronger community for all. We help the most disadvantaged people in our community in very real and practical ways:
- Bill was trapped in his home because he couldn’t afford Depends, and NCAA helped.
- Amy & Chris were struggling with sobriety because they couldn’t afford methadone treatment, and NCAA helped.
- Joyce didn’t have enough money to travel to Victoria for her cancer treatments, and NCAA helped.
- George had his disability application denied because he didn’t fill out the form properly, and NCAA helped.
- Miriam’s power and water were cut off by her landlord after an argument between them, and NCAA helped.
- Lucy found herself without a source of income when she turned 65 because she didn’t understand that CPP applications take 4-6 months to process, and NCAA helped.
In each of the above cases NCAA was able to successfully help and alleviate distress. Our expert Advocates work with people on an holistic level. We identify the barriers in their lives, problem solve with them and help find solutions.
For most people, the services and supports they need exist. The problem is that our clients, who mostly live in challenging circumstances and considerable poverty, are unaware of what’s available. Even when they are aware of the supports, they often lack the skills to access them. NCAA connects them to available supports and services, assists with the gathering of information and helps them navigate bureaucracy. Individuals are better for having received our support.
The challenges we now face started with a bumpy transition period following the 2015 retirement of two long-time key employees in the positions of Executive Director and Bookkeeper. It took a while to find replacements that were a good fit and opportunities to secure full funding for this year were missed.
To compound the issue, we have seen a marked increase in the number of people who are trying to access our services. This has increased pressure on staff, making it necessary to provide additional Advocate hours to meet the increasing demand. We can’t turn people away. The significant increases in rental prices have placed inordinate pressure on those already living in poverty. Combine that with the increased acuity of addictions and mental health issues and it becomes clear that our services are needed now more than ever.
The good news is NCAA now has everything we need to bring us through this crisis and come out stronger than before. We have 43 years of experience helping people, expert Advocates, strong community partnerships, two new people in the Executive Director and Bookkeeper positions and new board members, with financial expertise, to guide us.
But we need your help! An influx of cash will carry us through this fiscal year and ensure our advocacy and support services are available. We need people with to donate generously.
With your support, we continue to provide this vital service to some of the most vulnerable in our community who desperately need it.
With deepest appreciation,
The Board and Staff
Nanaimo Citizen Advocacy Association
P.S. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for all donations over $25.00.
Organizer and beneficiary
Deanna Ward
Organizer
Nanaimo, BC
Pamela Pady
Beneficiary
