More than one-third of Richmond’s social service grant money could go to help people struggling with addictions.
Richmond Addictions Services Society (RASS) has applied for an annual Health, Social and Safety Grant, asking for almost $227,000 – the same amount as last year.
In its application, RASS says its work targets the impacts and consequences of substance use and addiction, including problem gambling and “other addictive behaviours.” The application states it serves 6,100 Richmond residents.
If approved by city council, this would be one of 27 grants distributed to various social agencies across the city.
The second largest grant would go to CHIMO, which has asked for $50,000, and the third largest, at about $43,000, would go to Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives.
Furthermore, Pathways Clubhouse has applied for a grant of $35,000.
Other grants range from $2,500 to about $27,000.
City staff, who receive and assess the grant applications, only recommended one agency, the Multicultural Helping House Society, be denied a grant, saying the society should also be looking for other funding and not only rely on the city’s grant program.
Total grants to Richmond social service agencies come to almost $610,000, although $641,000 was the total available, leaving a balance of about $31,000.
The grants will be dealt with by Richmond city council at Monday’s general purposes committee meeting.
