Burnaby Neighbourhood House has recently announced the acquisition of three non-profit organizations: Burnaby Community Services, Burnaby Meals on Wheels, and Burnaby Seniors Outreach Services Society, says a city staff report to council’s executive community.
The purpose of this report was to summarize the transition of BNH becoming the umbrella organization for all of these non-profit societies, and how their respective programs may continue to be supported through the City’s Community Grant Program.
In 2021, these four societies received nearly $90,000 from the city, with BCS receiving about half of what it got in 2018.
“As each society will continue to be registered and operate under the BC Societies Act as its own registered charity and legal entity, each society will remain individually eligible for community grants under the established criteria of the Community Grant Program,” reads the report.
BNH first opened in 1996 as the South BNH. They are a volunteer-driven, community-based social service agency that provides equal access to programs and services in response to community needs. The organization has continued to grow and, in 2014, BNH opened a second location in North Burnaby. The organization also operates nine daycares, three preschools, and a community hall.
As a result of the transition, the BNH board of directors will also preside over these three societies, operating under the direction of CEO Antonia Beck, who “will provide leadership and oversight to the organization. Staff of the acquired societies have been integrated into the BNH staff teams and will be under the direction of the BNH senior management team,” says the report.
“All existing programs and services remain intact and are continuing to serve the community. By combining the resources of these societies under one umbrella organization, they have increased their capacity to respond to the local needs of Burnaby citizens and ensure that all programs and services will be maintained and responsive.”
