Two Prince George-based organizations are getting funding from the Northern Healthy Communities Fund to expand mental health and addictions services in the region.
The Prince George branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association is getting $82,000 for peer support in northern B.C. and Carrier Sekani Family Service is getting $300,000 for the development of a healing and treatment centre.
This first round of funding from the Northern Healthy Communities Fund delivers more than $2 million for 16 projects to support people in communities with new and expanded local services.
The project selected in this round focus on increasing access to mental health care and addictions counselling, expanding a variety of services provided by local and First Nations governments, and upgrades to child care and supportive housing facilities.
The Northern Healthy Communities Fund is a partnership between the province and the Northern Development Initiative Trust where the trust administers the program on behalf of the province.
"We applaud the province's recognition of the importance of building and maintaining healthy communities, especially in areas seeing fast and extensive growth," said Joel McKay, CEO, Northern Development Initiative Trust.
"These initial 16 projects offer immensely valuable services that really reflect the intention of the fund."
In total, the Northern Healthy Communities Fund is providing $25 million to eligible local governments, First Nations and non-profit organizations that provide critical supports and services to people in growing communities near the LNG Canada and Coastal Gaslink projects.
Communities and organizations will receive funding over the next five years, disbursed quarterly through a series of intakes.
The program is now accepting applications for the next round of funding to be announced this summer with successful projects announced quarterly until 2026.
You can find a full list of funded projects in northern B.C. here.
