Sometimes small things can make a big difference. Horizon Pacific Contracting is hoping that making a small change to someone’s living situation will make a big difference to their future.
The Saanich-based company is launching the Step Up Community Build Program. Created for youth and their families who aren’t currently receiving community assistance, Step Up will improve living situations for young people, helping them focus on their future and reaching their full potential.
“Horizon Pacific has been supporting a variety of community initiatives since we started the company. We are strongly committed to giving back to the community. In talking about how to provide support this year we struck upon the idea of focusing our efforts where we could make the most difference,” said Horizon Pacific owner Tim Agar. “We wanted to focus on youth to give someone a brighter future. And we could augment the great work already being done in the community by helping someone who is outside of the support system.”
The program is open to youth age 16 or younger and their families who could benefit from an improvement to their living environment. The program is open to applications ranging from simple improvements such as a wheelchair ramp to larger projects with a broader scope. The goal is to improve the at-home environment so families can focus on their future and their children reaching their full potential.
Program criteria and applications are posted on horizoncontracting.ca. Youth or their guardian will be asked to describe what changes they would like done in their home and how it will remove barriers in day-to-day life. The program is designed for people who don’t fit into other program criteria so haven’t been able to access support from other organizations.
To be considered for a project in 2017, applications must be received by midnight on April 30. The home must be located in the Greater Victoria area and the family cannot be currently receiving charitable assistance from another organization. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee at Horizon Pacific Contracting. The evaluation process includes a visit to the applicant’s home to determine the feasibility of the work. The family or families selected for projects will be announced in May with work commencing later in 2017.
“We hope this is the first of many years where we will be able to help people in this way,” said Agar. “I can’t think of a better way to contribute to my community than helping someone do more in life because they have one less struggle.”