Innovation, Generosity, and Collaboration
The Cortes Island Community Foundation (CICF) supports a vibrant and thriving community by enhancing a diversity of local initiatives, programs, and social profits. By bringing together resources and fostering collaboration, we aim to create a sustainable impact on the well-being of Cortes Island.
CICF listens to community needs, supports local organizations, and invests in a thriving future through endowed funds, granting, and program incubation.
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Cortes Island grabs the hearts of visitors and residents alike. First home to the Klahoose, Tla’amin and Homalco peoples, the island now boasts a small but vibrant community of people from all over the globe. We live amongst the ancient cedars and surrounded by the Salish Sea. While the forests, wildlife and sunsets might be the first things to attract people to the island, we stay and fall in love with Cortes because of the community. Neighbours know and rely on one and other here. In fact, most of the social services that Canadian’s have come to depend upon: food banks, agricultural support, youth programs, and even a high school education are provided by volunteers and small social profit organizations. We are a community that takes care of each other.
Unfortunately, like many small isolated communities, we are a community struggling with inequities. While the average cost of a home on Cortes is near a million dollars, more than a third of the island’s renters are considered “vulnerable” to homelessness, and many struggle to find housing at all in the summer months. The median income for families on Cortes is about half that of the rest of BC, and a quarter of all children on Cortes live in poverty. Childcare and early childhood education are a challenge for families of young children, and the drop out numbers for high school age students are impacted by the fact that many families cannot afford to send their students to board in communities with a high school.
Cortes Islanders are lucky however, because we have a community of more than 30 grassroots organizations, nonprofits, and charities doing the work of helping support all islanders, human and nonhuman, and the place itself. And the Cortes Island Community Foundation exists to support these organizations and all islanders to thrive in respectful relationship with our natural home. We hope you will learn more about us, our community, and this place.
Several big announcements were made and a robust list of collaborators were present on February 1st, for an update on the development of the land that is known as the ‘Village Commons’ in Mansons Landing. The meeting had about 36 attendants, including 6 people that virtually attended via zoom. The evening of presentations had a strong theme of collaboration and neighborhood togetherness.
Cora Monet introduced the night and warmly welcomed all attendees. Manda Aufochs Gillespie then spoke on behalf of the Cortes Island Community Foundation (CICF) by announcing that in January of 2023, the Foundation was offered to take over the stewardship of the Village Commons, from the Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA). The land came with an established trail system, hydro, and the possibility of $907k worth of grants to continue into ‘Phase One’ of development. These grants came from Destination Development Fund (DDF), Rural Economic Diversification & Infrastructure Program (REDIP) and Island Costal Economic Trust (ICET).
CICF has hired architect Bruce Haden, who offered a thorough presentation on the South island scene and simple design for the Village Commons. He broke down the region into the 5 ‘L’s; The Loop, the Lake, the Lane, the Lagoon, and the Landing.
Richard Andrews has lived on Cortes for 23 years and is the general contractor for Phase One Development of the Village Commons. He also just completed the Mansons Hall deck renovations, which were funded by the Healthier Communities Grant. The development is slated to begin now until October 31st, 2024.
Phase one of the Village Commons development will include a Welcome Pole, carved by local indigenous artist, Ernie Puglas, a covered outdoor pavilion, containers for storage/commercial vending, and a shared social profit work space. The CICF is also supporting the SCCA to make the Manson's Hall parking lot more effective and functional.
Cora Moret spoke on behalf of the Southern Cortes Community Association to discuss the enhancements completed and eminently planned for the exterior of Mansons Hall. The new deck for the hall is now complete. Further fireproofing is planned and already funded for the exterior of the Hall.
Sadhu Johnston also spoke at the event to announce plans for the Cortes Housing Society (CHS) and the Fire Department. He is the Executive Director of CHS, and confirmed that the society has submitted a more robust, third application to BC Housing in hopes to fund the Rainbow Ridge project. Johnston is also the President of the Fire Department, and was enthusiastic to share plans to improve the island’s ability to fight fires and prepare for emergencies.
Several community members were acknowledged for their contributions thus far to a multifaceted journey in growing the usefulness of this downtown area. Kate Maddigan, Tammy Collingwood, Matt Cuscianna, Isabella McKnight, Andrea Fisher, and Sandra Wood were all thanked for their work on these efforts.
Project designs blur the property lines between several community owned plots, creating more flow and capacity to support popular events like the Friday Market. An extra parking near the skatepark was recently completed to help facilitate this community flow. Ideas for future phases were also discussed such as a bathhouse with showers and laundry, as well as a youth center.
Neighbours were encouraged to sign up for updates and to engage in future conversations. Please reach out to outreach@cortesfoundation.ca or manda@cortesfoundation.ca if you would like to get involved or offer insight.