The Greater Victoria Police Foundation (GVPF) community has even more to celebrate this Fall, following the success of the second annual Building Bridges breakfast held November 13 at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. The event featured Oak Bay Police Chief Julie Chanin as keynote speaker. Together, donors, sponsors and guests helped the Foundation exceed its fundraising goal, raising an impressive $75,000 to support youth-focused programming across Greater Victoria.
This remarkable result reflects the strength of community support for the GVPF’s mission to build healthier, safer communities through leadership, mentorship and educational opportunities for local youth.
Building Bridges brought together business and community leaders, police representatives from across the region, youth and alumni from Police Camp and many long-time supporters of the Foundation. Chief Chanin’s keynote remarks and conversation with the audience highlighted the importance of trust, collaboration and youth engagement as pillars of modern policing and community safety. The funds raised at the breakfast will help ensure that the GVPF’s Police Camps, bursaries and mentorship initiatives continue to be fully funded and accessible to youth at no cost to their families.
None of this progress would be possible without the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of donors. From the more than 100 police officers who volunteer their time with Police Camp and mentorship programs, to sponsors, community partners and individual donors who contribute financially, every hour and every dollar has helped the GVPF grow from a vision to a dynamic force for youth empowerment. The Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended Building Bridges, supported the camps, contributed to bursaries or volunteered behind the scenes, and looks forward to continuing this work together in the year ahead.