On September 24th at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention in Vancouver, the Township of Esquimalt received a Community Excellence Award for Partnerships.
The Township formed an innovative partnership with PEERS Victoria Resources Society, the Bridges for Women Society and the Victoria Community Micro Lending Society in delivering a Small Business Training Program from October 2014 to April 2015 to a group of women working in or exiting from the sex worker industry. The project aligns with the Township’s Economic Development Strategy objective of encouraging new business start-ups through the promotion of entrepreneurship to low income residents.
“This is an outstanding example of innovation by Township staff in our community,” said Mayor Barbara Desjardins. “I congratulate staff and thank our community partners for stepping in and helping us to make this happen. We hope that this is a model that other municipalities can use in promoting healthy communities. Thanks also to UBCM for acknowledging the Township with this award.”
The Small Business Training Program comprised classroom sessions, individual business coaching meetings, workshops and special events. Project funding of $25,000 was made possible through the Civil Forfeiture Office in partnership with the Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division of the Ministry of Justice. Funding was used to hire a program facilitator and provide participants with course materials and financial assistance. As part of the program all participants successfully completed a business plan.
As a result of the success of this initiative, the PEERS Victoria Resources Society applied for and received additional funding to deliver the program again in 2015.
UBCM’s Community Excellence Awards showcase municipalities and regional districts that “lead the pack” take risks to innovate, establish new partnerships, question established ways of doing business and pioneer new customer service practices.
For more information, please contact:
Marlene Lagoa, Community Development Coordinator
Tel: 250-414-7114