Chilliwack – New Democrat MLAs Kelli Paddon and Niki Sharma met virtually with a group of non-profit and community organization representatives from the Chilliwack-Kent area on Monday, May 3rd.
The meeting was the first of what will be ongoing quarterly roundtables between Paddon and representatives from non-profits in Chilliwack-Kent and the surrounding area. MLA Paddon says that having these events regularly will help facilitate ongoing dialogue between community leaders.
“It is important that community organizations are able to share their stories and their needs so that the government can support them,” said Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent. “The non-profit sector has not been immune to the challenges caused by COVID-19, and we hope this roundtable provides an opportunity to identify the issues facing these organizations so that we can continue to bring their experiences to the table.”
As Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits, MLA Sharma is focused on advocating for community organizations across the province. This role is the first of its kind in British Columbia. During the meeting she spoke about her commitment to improving the relationships between non-profits and the government moving forward.
Any organizations who wish to be included in future roundtable discussions can emial MLA Paddon’s office at Kelli.Paddon.MLA@leg.bc.ca
The organizations that attended the roundtable include:
- Chilliwack Youth Health Centre
- Fraser Valley Down Syndrome Society
- Agassiz-Harrison Community Services Society
- Chilliwack Society for Community Living
- Sardis Doorway for Mothers & Children Society
- Extra F.A.R.E. and Chilliwack Market
- Job Options
- Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation (FVHCF)
- Stó:lō Community Futures
- Creative Centre Society
- Ann Davis Society
- Chilliwack Learning Society
- SPCA
- Chilliwack Bowls of Hope Society
- Compassionate Neighbourhood Health Partners Society (CNHPS)
- Chilliwack Community Service
- Chilliwack Hospice
- Chilliwack PRIDE
- FHA
- Chilliwack Healthier Communities
- Community Futures
