The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria was recently awarded a grant for its charity work on Vancouver Island.
Last Tuesday, the shopping centre was awarded the International Council of Shopping Centre’s (ICSC) Foundation Community Support Award for their work with United Way Greater Victoria.
It was the only shopping centre in Canada to be selected for their community support.
The Bay Centre has partnered with United Way Victoria to create the “Be. United” campaign, and expand the bc211 helpline to Vancouver Island.
The “Be. United” campaign and bc211 helpline (which already exists on the mainland) is designed to provide Islanders with a confidentiel, telephone and texting service that will connect individuals with relevant community, mental health, social, and government services in B.C.
The helpline is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, in 160 languages.
With the ICSC award comes a $10,000 USD grant that the Bay Centre and United Way Victoria are planning to add to their charitable fund, which hopes to raise $15 million over the next 3 years for projects like “Be. United” and the bc211 helpline.
“Through our community partnerships program the Bay Centre focuses on providing awareness and focus on mental health,” said Darlene Hollstein, General Manager of the Bay Centre.
“When the opportunity was presented to partner with United Way and assist in showcasing the bc211 program that enhances mental health support services it was a win-win for everyone – especially our community.”
The Bay Centre also won a national award, a gold Canadian Maple Leaf Award, for their “Canada 150” campaign, which helped raise over $50,000 for veteran charities across the country last year.
The company has also submitted applications for the Global ICSC Foundation award, which would provide another $15,000 USD in May to the shopping centre’s goal of $15 million for their charity fund.
