BADDECK, N.S. — Madison Greening wants to ensure social wellness, especially among rural children, becomes an important part of her community.
“Hard times put people in a place to sit back and evaluate what really mattered to them,” said Greening, board chair and CEO of the Baddeck-based B.O.L.D (Bras d'Or Lake Day Camps Association). “We could essentially open our doors, open our ears and our hearts to be whatever was needed of us.”
An established hub in Victoria County since 2017, the social enterprise and non-profit organization offers day camps and after-school learning for children, as well as an array of other alternative educational and recreational programming designed to keep rural kids and adults connected.
At the same time, Greening recognizes that it’s not always easy being a rural resident with COVID-19 restrictions further complicating routines and affecting social wellness – defined as “the ability to relate to and connect with other people in our world,” according to Shannex.
“Everybody who walks through our door is dealing with exacerbated (lives) … issues that were already here have just been highlighted in terms of being in a tourism and hospitality-driven community," Greening said. “So we ask where can we create opportunities instead of highlighting that ‘lack’ that we’re all experiencing?”
To implement that vision, however, Greening and B.O.L.D co-ordinator Gaby Braun approached a recent Municipality of Victoria County council meeting to request additional funding.
“We’ve had nothing but positive feedback from them,” Greening said, “and year-over-year they’ve ensured that that (funding) need was met for us.”
Victoria County warden and councillor for the area Bruce Morrison noted that B.O.L.D has been “an active organization within the community. They continue to provide programs that the public is using and they’re also expanding some of the services they provide. They’ve done well and in previous years we’ve looked favourably on their grant applications.
“I’m not sure exactly what they would be utilizing the money (for), but the grants are available if they meet the criteria,” he said.
In their presentation to council via Zoom, Greening and Braun explained that while they have found ways to increase revenue streams, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced a 33 per cent cap on B.O.L.D’s summer programming and 50 per cent reduction in its operations through the winter.
Greening asked for $5,000 under the community COVID operational funding to “address some of the financial constraints that we’ve run up against across the year of operation under COVID.”
“We would use it toward cleaning, UV lighting, and further decontamination of any spaces to create a safer indoor environment,” Greening said of the day centre facilities, housed at the Kidston Landing building on Chebucto Street.
She said that council had been receptive during previous meetings as B.O.L.D developed its operations model over the past several years.
“We’ve gone to council almost on a yearly basis now just to ask for (funding) that would reduce the costs to parents,” she said.
“A lot of folks spend the winters on EI and they work hard in the summer. They don’t have a lot of time afforded to them to think all these things out. You got to make hay while the sun shines.”
In response, council members lauded Greening and Braun on their efforts and encouraged them to apply for future funding. Morrison said a decision on funding approval will be made once council receives B.O.L.D’s application.
Ian Nathanson is a political reporter with the Cape Breton Post.
