United Way BC focusing on long-term wildfire recovery needs

KAMLOOPS — Now that the smoke has cleared, United Way BC is getting ready to dispurse more funding for wildfire recovery efforts in B.C, with long term supports in mind.

Shortly after the Village of Lytton was largely destroyed by fire this summer, United Way (UWBC) re-launched its United for B.C Wildfire Recovery Fund. About $600,000 was raised and UWBC Manager of Community Impact Kristi Rintoul says they were able to distribute funding to organizations around the province within a week of receiving requests.

“Instead of having a long, involved application process we were able to really knock down those barriers and allow people to access the dollars, through calling in their applications through uploading videos, as well as through the application portal,” Rintoul says UWBC worked to make the process as quick as possible. “Trying to ensure that the dollars were as easily accessible as possible for those agencies that were doing that important work and meeting those essential needs.”

Some of that rapid-response support included working with existing regional food hubs and new partners to provide food to evacuees and emergency responders, providing gas vouchers to those who were forced to evacuate their homes, and working with local organizations to fill gaps and prevent duplication of support.

Looking ahead, Rintoul says long-term support needs include things such as mental health counselling, child and youth programming, assistance in navigating services like insurance, food security and childcare.

United Way BC has reserved nearly $240,000 for this work, and Rintoul says they hope to have it spent or designated by the end of the year. A sizable portion will also be targeted towards Lytton.

“Through the resiliency plan as it is being announced and brought forward, we’re really looking at embedding ourselves in that community and providing those vital connections so that as folks return home and continue to find their footing, they can really lean on each other through that social infrastructure that we’re hoping to help rebuild.”

Grant applications and donations are still being accepted for 2021. To apply or contribute to the United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund, go to www.uwbc.ca.