About the Central Okanagan Poverty and Wellness Strategy
We know that 1 in 6 children and 15% of the total population in the Central Okanagan continue to live in poverty. This social and economic inequality continues to expand as our population rapidly grows. Rising economic and social inequality is a significant threat to the long-term wellbeing, quality of life, and success for all of our community members in the region.
The Central Okanagan Poverty and Wellness Strategy (COPAWS) is being developed to provide a coordinated and shared community action strategy for poverty reduction in the Central Okanagan.
The project is intended to strengthen the partnership between the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), and local Indigenous communities, municipalities, and a number of other community partners and agencies from across the region.
Guided by principles of reconciliation, equity, and inclusion the project will center the voices of those with lived and living experience, through extensive public engagement. Through collaborative action, the Strategy will aim to provide everyone in the Central Okanagan a real and fair chance to succeed with improved policies, practices and resources.
Get Involved!
What we heard
A summary of what we heard about the planned Central Okanagan Poverty and Wellness Strategy is now available! Thank you to all residents who provided their feedback through the community survey and virtual forum. We are now in the final stages of developing the strategy and are looking for your continued feedback. A short, 2-question survey is now available for you to provide additional feedback.
Learn more about what we heard in the COPAWS Summary Report
Submit your input on the Summary Report by May 9, 2022
We invite all residents to reflect on the vision, needs of residents, and ideas for action presented in the summary report to help shape the future of poverty reduction in the Central Okanagan.
Check back here to see the draft report and have your chance to comment. The draft is expected to be posted in mid-May 2022.
Community Survey
Over 700 residents participated in the development of the Strategy by completing the Community Survey. The survey closed March 7 and encouraged individuals to share their stories, experiences and thoughts on how to best address critical needs in the region and help people out of poverty.
Note: To reduce question redundancy and better understand residents’ needs, this survey also included questions relating to the RDCO’s Regional Housing Strategy (RHS).
Community forum
A free, virtual Community Forum was held Wednesday, March 2 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Community Forums are a way for residents of the Central Okanagan to gather and learn about the strategy and provide their insight into what is challenging, what solutions might be, and a vision for what poverty reduction could look like in the RDCO.
Provide Feedback
Visit yoursay.rdco.com to see the draft report and have your chance to comment. The draft is expected to be posted in late April 2022
Sign up for email updates
If you would like to Stay Informed and receive updates on the Strategy progress please subscribe here
What can you expect to receive if you sign up?
- One email will be sent out IF any in-person or additional public engagements are scheduled
- One email update will also be sent out when the draft Central Okanagan Poverty and Wellness Strategy is posted and open for public comment
- One email announcing the final strategy
Project Timeline
Background
In March 2019, the Province released their poverty reduction strategy called TogetherBC which set targets to reduce the overall poverty rate in British Columbia. Provincial funding was made available through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to support local governments in reducing poverty at the local level.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) and member municipalities supported applying for a grant with the RDCO as the regional applicant, and in May 2020 the UBCM awarded $149,000 for the development of a regional strategy to improve the wellbeing of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
The purpose of this project is to provide a coordinated, shared community framework for poverty reduction in the Central Okanagan, while building relationships and capacity within and across the region for collaborative action and strengthening coordination between regional systems through improved polices, practices and resources.
The previous work of the Central Okanagan Poverty Reduction Committee (COPRC), the Regional District, and many communities in the region have set the stage for a community driven, regional approach to addressing poverty through an upstream focus. Initial baseline data has already been collected through the Central Okanagan Poverty and Wellness Analysis, and collaborative relationships are established.
The project processes and resulting Strategy are to be guided by principles of reconciliation, inclusion of residents experiencing poverty and barriers to participation, and reducing poverty to create an equitable and just society. Honouring these guiding principles, we understand that it is paramount that the project process includes direct engagement with Indigenous communities, incorporating indigenous perspectives, honouring Ownership, Control, Access, Possession (OCAP) principles, response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and ensuring a welcoming, safe, and non-discriminatory environment.
Member Municipalities and Contributing Partners
- Regional District of Central Okanagan
- District of Lake Country
- City of Kelowna
- City of West Kelowna
- District of Peachland
- Central Okanagan Poverty Reduction Committee
- Central Okanagan Journey Home Society
- Central Okanagan Foundation
- BC Housing
- Childhood Connections
- Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna Branch
- Central Okanagan Food Bank
- United Way of British Columbia
- School District 23
- Interior Health
- Lake Country Health Planning Society