Encouragement for cyclists
A cycling program offered by the Capital Regional District and the Greater Victoria Bike to Work society intends to promote fun and confidence for novice riders. The Ride On! program runs from April to October and will include a number of courses in cycling skills for adults and children. Most courses will be offered through community recreation centres. Visit biketoworkvictoria.ca/bike-skills for more info or to register.
Volunteer for sustainability festival
Arts lovers are invited to contribute to the Third Annual Creatively United for the Planet Festival by volunteering. The event had over 5,000 visitors last year. The festival runs April 25 and 26 at St. Ann’s Academy and features live music, art, food, and children’s activities. Go to creativelyunitedfortheplanet.org for volunteer and event info.
Community benefits from Camosun programs
Camosun students in the Business and Community Family and Child Studies programs will be engaging with local communities for two weeks in April. Students will be involved in fundraising, event planning, and even a landscaping makeover to gain practical experience as part of their coursework. The Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence at Interurban will be hosting an event for children and youth with developmental disabilities on April 6, thanks to the students’ successful fundraising.
Camosun students help make city pretty
Camosun students from the Criminal Justice Program helped acquire resources to clean up the Rock Bay neighborhood during March. The Clean and Safe team that cleans the neighborhood streets is made up of emergency shelter tenants who volunteer for training. The students reached out to local businesses to source donations of paint and supplies to assist the team in graffiti cleanup.
Island sex clinics can’t cover costs
The Island Sexual Health clinics are struggling to cover costs this year and may have to cut some of its free public health services. Funding has not met the service demand, despite cost-cutting efforts by directors. The non-profit organization offers services at four clinics in Victoria, including one at Camosun College, which greatly benefit people unable to find family doctors. Services include pap, pelvic and genital exams, birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing and planning, vaccination, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and free condoms.
Arts scholarships available
The BC Arts Council Scholarship program is looking for funding applications from arts students for in-province or worldwide study. Accepted students can receive up to $6,000 per year in scholarship money. Programs as diverse as creative writing, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, media arts, museology, and conservation received $750,000 in funding last year. The submission date is April 30. Go to bcartscouncil.ca/guidelines/artists/youth/scholarship_awards.html to see the scholarship guidelines.