October 2025 News & Notes
Here's what's going on at CAI
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No Fixed Address: The White Cart Memorial Film Screenings
We invite you to join the BC Centre for Palliative Care and Community Action Initiative for a screening of No Fixed Address: The White Cart Memorial, followed by a discussion with the directors/producers on the themes of the film. Screenings will be taking place in Kelowna, Nanaimo, and Vancouver.
The film is a powerful and intimate documentary that sheds light on a deeply overlooked aspect of the homelessness crisis: people's grief following the death of someone they care about. Through the voices and stories of individuals living with unstable housing, the film explores what it means to grieve without a house, and how loss echoes through a community already struggling to survive.
Register for a screening:
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Read CAI's 2024-25 Annual Report
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This past year has been one of transformation, challenge, and deep listening at CAI as we focused on our purpose of supporting community-led interventions that enhance connection across the mental health and substance use sector. We invite you to read our full Annual Report to learn more about how CAI and our partners are building a stronger, more resilient sector together.
Read the 2024-2025 Annual Report
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Supporting Indigenous-Led Treatment and Recovery Across BC
We’re pleased to share news of an investment that will strengthen culturally grounded treatment and recovery services for Indigenous Peoples across BC. The Ministry of Health, together with the Community Action Initiative (CAI) and the First Nations Health Authority, is supporting 15 First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous-led organizations providing bed-based treatment and recovery services with one-time funding of $25,000 each. These grants are supporting community organizations in improving their services through investments in staff training, program resources, technology, and culturally relevant care. This initiative supports Indigenous approaches to healing, recovery, and long-term wellness.
Read the full release and learn more about the organizations receiving funding
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Celebrating the Community Counselling Fund
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On September 8, we were grateful to Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Michael Wyse (Xumtilum) for welcoming us to Snuneymuxw hulit lelum. We were honoured to gather with Minister of Health Josie Osborne, Snuneymuxw Elder Sandra, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Sheila Malcolmson (Nanaimo-Gabriola Island MLA), and Parliamentary Secretary for Transit George Anderson (Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA) to highlight the Community Counselling Fund (CCF).
The CCF strengthens access to free, community-based counselling across BC, with a strong focus on supporting Indigenous communities, rural and remote areas, and those most impacted by the toxic drug crisis. Since its launch, the fund has provided thousands of people with timely, culturally grounded, trauma-informed counselling, helping reduce barriers to care and fostering healing in communities.
Click here to read more
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Welcome New CAI Board & Staff
We are thrilled to welcome several new folks to CAI's Board of Directors and staff team:
Board of Directors
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Rae Alcock: A proud member of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation, Rae has dedicated over 20 years to supporting Indigenous justice, wellness, and community services across BC. She serves as Director of Court Services with the Native Courtworker & Counselling Association of BC, where she helps guide programs that honour culture, support healing, and strengthen relationships between communities and the justice system. Rae is active in governance and advocacy, serving on the boards of the Homelessness Services Association of BC and the BC Non-Profit Network Steering Committee. Grounded in community values and cultural teachings, Rae brings a collaborative spirit and a commitment to wellness, equity, and justice for Indigenous peoples and communities.
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Mike Roberts: As CEO of the BC Municipal Safety Association, Mike leads their mission of empowering safer and healthier workplaces across local government. He oversees the organization’s strategic direction, operations, and partnerships. Mike brings a forward-thinking approach to leadership, anticipating trends, developing innovative solutions, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
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Chantel Spade, Project Manager: Chantel brings extensive experience from her work in the non-profit sector in Ontario and BC. Her roles include coordinating large-scale projects, fostering key partnerships, and supporting system navigation. She completed her Master’s in Immigration and Settlement Studies and holds a Doctoral Candidacy in Policy Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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Donna Panitow, Communications Specialist: With over a decade of communications experience across several BC non-profit organizations, as well as the education and hospitality sectors, Donna brings a versatile skillset spanning graphic design, writing, social media content creation, and strategic communication planning. Donna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Political Science from Simon Fraser University.
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Youth Transform Grief into Art and Connection
Funded by Community Action Initiative, the Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House Youth Grief & Loss Support Group supports those aged 16–30 who are grieving the loss of someone due to the drug crisis. This initiative was launched in response to the need for compassionate spaces where young people can come together, share their experiences, and find healing through connection and creative expression.
In collaboration with the support group, 8 youth artists, a mentor, and an art therapist worked together to create a mural in the community. Completed recently, its design was inspired by emerging themes from the grief group.
Read more about the mural on Instagram at @arthollow
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Split Rock Healing House Hosts Grand Opening
Congratulations to the Split Rock Healing House (Tsë Lhts’ënc’il Nec’igekh Be Yikh) located in Witset First Nation, which held its grand opening earlier this month to Indigenous youth of all gender expressions aged 12-29 who are seeking healing or wanting to promote their overall health and wellness.
Split Rock Healing House is a recipient of CAI's 2024 Capacity Building Grant for First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous-led organizations providing bed-based treatment and recovery services.
Learn more about Split Rock Healing House
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External Community Opportunities & Resources
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