Thank you for 45 incredible years!
Since 1976, thanks to the support of generous donors and partners, the Vancouver Police Foundation has granted over $12 million to more than 240 innovative and impactful programs. That’s 45 incredible years of supporting Vancouver Police officers as they go well beyond the scope of their job to give back to the areas of greatest need across Vancouver. While we do not fund essential policing services, we do eagerly seek and fund initiatives that help the VPD save lives and prevent crime at a grassroots level through the development and implementation of meaningful community outreach programs.
What makes the Vancouver Police Foundation so unique is our partnership with dedicated Vancouver police officers. Due to the nature of their work, VPD officers often see the gaps and needs in our neighbourhoods before anyone else. They turn to the Foundation for funding to launch and operate programs that fill these gaps. Once funded, most of the officers typically manage these programs on a voluntary basis—after shifts or on days off. Each of the programs we fund fall into one of four pillars: Community Outreach & Engagement, Youth programs, Mental Health & Addictions, and Technology and Special Equipment.
It doesn’t matter how old you are, what gender you identify with, which ethnic background or race you are, or what your socio-economic circumstance is; if you’re sporty or artsy, or simply want to learn more about personal safety or gang life, there is a great chance we fund a program that could benefit you or someone in your family.
There are many exciting updates in the year ahead as well. Most notably, we recently increased our funding for Indigenous reconciliation efforts that include engagement with Indigenous leaders to find collaborative and constructive ways to move forward. Recent reconciliation programs that received funding from the VPF include the Pulling Together Canoe Journey, the Healing Path, the Cultural Health & Learning initiative, the SisterWatch Committee, The Blue Eagle Community Cadet Youth Project, First Nations Wellness – Star Quilt Circle, Echoes of our Ancestors, the Musqueam Mentorship Program, ID4ME and Lunch with the Chief. Fostering an ongoing relationship with the Indigenous communities across Vancouver and beyond has been a priority for many years for both the VPD and the Vancouver Police Foundation. A process of listening, understanding and healing has been at work for decades with years of important work in this area still to come.
Of course, in addition to these important initiatives we also continue to ensure programs for women such as Her Time, the Women’s Personal Safety Team, victim flights kits, the Shoebox Project, etc are able to continue. Similarly, initiatives that support children and youth are still ongoing such as VPD Cadets, New Kids, Gang Tackle, Here4Peers, Streetfront, Floor Hockey for Kids, and many more.
Our continued ability to help fund initiatives like these that foster a vital link between the police and the community it is thanks to our generous donors and the incredible commitment of the VPD to this city. The last two years have not been without difficulty and yet I can proudly say the VPD, the Vancouver Police Foundation and our donors rose to the challenge and exceeded my expectations in terms of making a significant positive impact across the city of Vancouver.
Thank you for your support for being with us every step of the way.
Gratefully yours,
Andrea Wright
Executive Director
Vancouver Police Foundation
If you would like to donate to support impactful VPD officer-initiated community programs, please donate online or call us at 604.717.3700. Gifts of all sizes can make a difference.
The Vancouver Police Foundation supports programs and initiatives that fall under one of four pillars: Youth Programs, Mental Health & Addictions, Community Outreach & Engagement, and Technology & Special Equipment. You can help build a safer Vancouver by donating to the Vancouver Police Foundation.
