An organization that has been helping homebound Tri-City seniors with grocery shopping, referrals and visits for nearly 20 years will be shutting its doors soon after struggling to maintain its funding.
The programs offered by Community Volunteer Services for Seniors (CVSS) will be taken over by Share Family and Community Services on Sept. 1, after which CVSS will cease operations.
"Everybody has some concern, there's a little bit of confusion and a little bit of sadness," said Bruce Hansen, president of the Wilson Centre seniors advisory association in Port Coquitlam. "But I'm sure everything will work out; Share is an honourable organization."
In 2009, CVSS lost its annual $75,000 grant — 85% of its budget — from the Fraser Health Authority to deliver direct assistance to seniors. Since then, CVSS has struggled to cobble together grants, mainly from the United Way.
But even that $50,000 in funding was lost last spring when the United Way decided it would no longer support 31 seniors' outreach programs, Hansen said.
At the time, the provincial government awarded $15 million in funding to support the Better at Home program, with the Tri-Cities' lead community services organization — that being Share — receiving $100,000.
"Unfortunately, it did not cover everything that was expected… in the way of services and we were left with no financial support from the Better at Home program either," Hansen said.
CVSS served about 160 to 175 seniors annually with phone support, in-person visits and grocery shopping assistance.
Each CVSS client has been sent a letter detailing the situation, with volunteers following up with phone calls.
Seniors who wish to continue receiving the services from Share are being asked to sign a form giving CVSS permission to share their information.
Two part-time CVSS staff will also be laid off at the end of the summer.
"We feel bad about that but they understand the situation. They're two very dedicated people but it's been a struggle and they recognize that," Hansen said, noting as an organization, Share is well equipped to deliver the services CVSS had been.
Both Hansen and Roxanne MacDonald of Share said their top priority is ensuring the seniors are looked after.
"[We] are both committed to making this a smooth transition so there is no break in service," said MacDonald, Share's director of programs and services. "That's everybody's goal — we want to make it easy for folks."
• For more information, call CVSS at 604-927-7919 or Share at 604-936-3900.
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