April 2025 News & Notes
Here's what's going on at CAI
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Thank You for Showing Up and Providing Care
April 14th marked the 9 year anniversary of BC formally declaring the toxic drug crisis a public health emergency. Since then, more than 16,000 people in BC have lost their lives to the toxic drug supply. This crisis has impacted every community in BC, devastating loved ones and leaving communities reeling.
Amidst such immeasurable loss, grief and burnout has consistently been one of the most reported struggles of the community-based organizations we partner with. These partnerships span across BC and include Neighborhood Houses, First Nations-led recovery homes, nonprofit counselling centres, people who use drugs, peer-led advocacy groups, family networks, among others, showing that there is not a single community that has not been impacted by the toxic drug crisis.
Over these nine years, community-based organizations have been a fundamental resource and support hub for communities. As we mark this sombre anniversary, we remember and deeply mourn those lost. CAI reaffirms our commitment to listening, learning, uplifting, and supporting the knowledge and work of the people who make up the community-based mental health and substance use sector.
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2025 BC MHSU Sector Survey
We want your input!
T he 2025 Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Sector Survey is an important opportunity for BC’s community-based MHSU organizations to share their experiences, priorities, and needs. The goal is to build a stronger evidence base for the sector and to ensure that CAI’s future work reflects the realities on the ground. Your feedback can help shape the future of our funding priorities and offer important insights about the current challenges and successes in our sector
The survey takes about 20–25 minutes, and includes a mix of multiple choice and open-ended questions. Once completed, you can enter to win one of five CAI travel mugs, or the grand prize: a team lunch worth up to $200!
Click here to take the survey.
Please consider filling it out — and share this post with your networks!
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New Site, New Blog
 A new blog post for a new website. Yes! We have a new website, and we'd love if you visited us there. To inaugurate our site's launch, we have a blog post from, Zavi Swain, Project Manager of Strategic Grants.
In "Why a Community-Engaged Grant Process Matters: Insights from CAI’s Youth Wellness Grant", Zavi reflects on his recent experience coordinating the community-led adjudication for CAI's Youth Wellness Grant. This blog post explores the methods and value of implementing a granting model that engages community in each step of the granting process.
Read Zavi's blog post here!
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Welcoming Samantha Young
 We are pleased introduce Samantha Young, who joined us in March as CAI's new Project Manager for the Support Recovery portfolio.
Sam is a freelance artist, grant writer, and former Project Coordinator at the UBC Transformative Health & Justice Research Cluster. Sam is a mixed race settler living and working on the traditional, unceded and occupied lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Qiqéyt (Qayqayt) and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations. She supports the coordination and implementation of community-driven arts and research initiatives that center equity, education, and social impact. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting from OCADU and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Community Development at the University of Victoria.
With experience in arts programming, administration, project coordination, and grant writing, Sam has used her skillset to conduct participatory action research initiatives at UBC. She serves on the board of directors for Gallery Gachet and Unlocking the Gates Services Society, contributing to initiatives that advance health equity and justice. Samantha believes that creativity is a powerful tool for connection and change and is passionate about fostering spaces where art, education, and community care intersect. In her free time, Sam enjoys camping, going on travel adventures and board games.
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External Community Opportunities & Resources
Event: Addressing the Toxic Drug Crisis in the Trades
The Trail Community Action Team (TCAT) is hosting "Building Hope: Mental Health & Substance Use in the Community, Workplace & Home"
This event focuses on industrial workers, a group disproportionately affected by toxic drug poisoning deaths. With men in trades, transport, and equipment operations making up 15% of B.C.‘s workforce but accounting for over half of toxic drug deaths among employed individuals, it’s crucial to address this issue head-on.
Speakers include Mika Dumont from the The Tailgate Toolkit Project and Lorna Thomas, co-founder of Moms Stop the Harm. Their insights aim to shed light on the links between physical pain, mental health, and substance use, providing tools for both employers and workers.
CAI is proud to fund Community Action Tables like TCAT, empowering local initiatives that tackle mental health and substance use challenges. We also acknowledge the collaboration with United Steelworkers Local 480 and Teck Resources Limited in making this event possible.
Date: Thursday, April 24
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Union Hall, 910 Portland Street, Trail BC
You can read more about the event here.
Click here to register
Funding: The Houssian Foundation - Daylight Fund
The Daylight Fund is an open call granting opportunity to address the safety needs of women, 2SLGBTQ+, and non-binary individuals across Canada. The pilot fund aims to support organizations directly working on gender-based safety issues.
Individual grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 are available.
Applications close April 25, 2025.
Click here to learn more about this funding opportunity and to apply.
Event: BC Non-Profit Leadership Conference 2025
 The BC Non-Profit Leadership Conference returns in June, bringing together nonprofit leaders from across British Columbia to learn, connect, and collaborate. This year’s theme, Our Collective Story, will explore how storytelling canamplify our sector’s impact, strengthen partnerships, and inspire meaningful change.
Engage in dynamic workshops, insightful panels, and networking opportunities—all designed to strengthen your leadership and impact. Virtual & in-person options available. Don’t miss keynote speakers Senator Paulette Senior & Nadia Tchoumi!
Date: June 5-6
Where: Virtual and The Anvil Centre, New Westminister
Click here to learn more and to register.
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Articles & Media
Article: Overdose Deaths Decline in Some Areas of British Columbia
Fewer people are dying from drug overdoses in British Columbia (BC), although this decline has not taken place in every part of the province.
Article: Health care and the Canadian election: What experts are hoping to hear
What do health-care experts hope to hear from candidates this election?
Article: With peer support, Hamilton hospital helps build trust, provide comfort for those in substance use program
A pilot at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, Ontario will be expanding to other hospitals in the city
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