ABBOTSFORD, BC – November 26, 2025: We’re excited to announce the recipients of this year’s
Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) Community Granting Programs – Housing & Homelessness
Grants and Smart & Caring Community Grants.
This year, ACF hosted their annual cheque ceremony at The Hub, at Wiebe Properties on Gladwin Road.
ACF awarded a total of $121,500 in support of 8 local charities supporting local children, youth, and
families at risk. Through the generosity of ACF’s incredible donors, the following programs, projects,
and initiatives received community grants this year.
Housing & Homelessness Grant Program Recipient:
Cyrus Centre Ministries: Youth Outreach Support & Essential Supplies – $10,000
This project ensures youth accessing Cyrus Centre or met through community outreach, receive food,
hygiene products, and weather appropriate gear.
Smart & Caring Community Grant Program Recipients:
Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support Society: Children & Youth Grief Support Program – $15,000
This program provides compassionate one-to-one and group support, day camps, equine and art
therapies, teen training, family events for children ages 3–18 at no-cost – offering safe spaces, coping
tools, resources and hope, ensuring that no child or family faces grief alone.
Abbotsford Restorative Justice & Advocacy Association: Enhanced Mentoring &
Counselling Supports for At-Risk Youth – $14,000
This program strengthens youth mentoring by supporting meaningful activities that foster connection,
skills, and belonging. Youth facing financial barriers will also access up to 10 free counselling sessions.
These wraparound supports promote mental health, resilience, and positive relationships, helping at-
risk youth in Abbotsford build brighter, healthier futures.
Abbotsford Youth Commission: FUSE, FLEX, FOCUS: Youth Mental Health &
Resilience Programs – $30,000
These programs increase mental health literacy, build social-emotional skills and coping strategies, and
foster connection through creative, tiered workshops in schools and the community. Collectively, these
programs strengthen protective factors and equip youth with the knowledge and skills to navigate
challenges, support their peers, and contribute to more connected, resilient communities and families.
Advokate Life & Education Services Society: Building Foundations: Baby Boutique $7,500
This initiative offers free maternity and baby supplies for low-income families during a child’s first two
years, including diapers, formula, cribs, and clothing. Staff provide ongoing emotional support, connect
individuals with community resources, and offer access to the Baby Boutique for those who qualify.
BeMorr Society: Mental Wellness Program – $15,000
This program provides free, accessible mental health counselling and outreach to vulnerable families in
Abbotsford. Through workshops, support groups, and community engagement, the program fosters
resilience, connection, and hope—helping children, youth, and families strengthen their mental
wellness and thrive within a supportive, caring community.
InAsMuch Society: Supporting Food Security & Social Belonging in Abbotsford – $15,000
This project supports individuals, seniors, families with children, and refugee claimants in Abbotsford
facing food insecurity and social isolation. Through culturally responsive food support, community
dinners, and wellness programming, they help build household stability, emotional well-being, and a
stronger sense of belonging for vulnerable residents.
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver: Family Mental Wellness & Stability $15,000
This is a trauma-informed program supports women and women-led families in Abbotsford facing
mental health challenges and trauma. Through wellness circles, parenting labs, and stability planning,
Elizabeth Fry empowers residents of Abbotsford to heal, strengthen family bonds, and build stable,
independent lives rooted in community and hope.
ACF welcomed recipients to receive their funds and take a moment to share their impressive work with
those in attendance. At the event, Kam Grewal, ACF Community Grants Committee Chair and member
of ACF’s Board of Directors commented, “These projects help build and continue to improve Abbotsford
residents’ quality of life – where they not only survive, but can thrive.”
Areni Kelleppan, our Executive Director, noted that, “It’s a testament to the generosity of our donors
that ACF, since the start of its community grants programs, has been able to provide over $1.9 million in
funding to organizations serving at the frontlines of some of our most complex social challenges.”
Funds are raised for ACF’s community grants programs in a variety of ways, including the annual Smart
& Caring Golf Classic, with the 11th annual event being held on September 10, 2026. To register for the
tournament or help support the Smart & Caring fund in other ways, please go to our Smart & Caring
Golf Classic page.
Areni Kelleppan, Executive Director
email: areniK@abbotsfordcf.org
Abbotsford Community Foundation
About the Abbotsford Community Foundation
Since its inception, the Abbotsford Community Foundation has granted over $20 million back into our
community. Starting in 1978 with a significant donation by a local family, ACF has grown its endowment
to over ~$23 million, making it the largest community foundation in the Fraser Valley. Not just a grant-
maker, ACF is also a convener, collaborator and capacity builder for the local charitable sector and the
wider community.