On December 3rd, Mel Cooper, Chair of the TELUS Victoria Community Board, paid an unexpected visit to Threshold. His mission was to deliver a grant cheque that will assist Threshold with its Safe Housing for Youth program. His policy is always to deliver a cheque in person, adding a face and smile to the Board’s good work in the community. What a great time of year to visit! Jiggling bells were heard in the background!
Mel Cooper (left), Chair of the TELUS Community Board of Victoria and Mark Muldoon (right) Executive Director of Threshold
The TELUS Victoria Community Board was launched in May 2007 and is led by Mel Cooper. The annual donation budget is $350,000. Since 2007, the Victoria Community Board has donated $1.85 million to 168 projects. In 2012, it donated $350,000 to 28 projects. In fact, there are 11 Canadian TELUS Community Boards and three International Boards that provide funding to local grassroots organizations in major centres where TELUS operates. These Community Boards are located in Victoria, Vancouver, Thompson Okanagan, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Rimouski, Quebec City, Atlantic Canada, the Philippines, Guatemala and El Salvador.
The TELUS Victoria Community Board should be congratulated for its vision and integrity. Many of their grants, and not just the one received by Threshold, are targeted toward youth issues in the community. The Board understands that by investing today in young people, the Board gives them a bridge to walk across into a healthy adulthood for tomorrow. Providing support today for all youth, prevents the chances of them falling into chronic poverty and homelessness. It is this type of vision that shows leadership and makes the Victoria region a good community to call home – for everyone.
