Established by City Council in 1991. It is made up of 9 community members and representatives (School Board, Parks and Rec, Culture Commission, City Council). Perspective to Council and staff on social needs and issues and also acts as a liaison with community groups, agencies, the public and other government sectors. Administers the Social Development Grant program, the Community service Grant program and the Social Development Awards Program
Offer several programs Nanaimo’s underprivileged including low cost cooking for health, classes for expectant and new parents and cooking using fresh ingredients. Nanaimo Community Kitchen’s received a $7,000 grant from SPAC that was used to implement a cooking program at Brechin Church for clients of Loaves and Fishes. It was originally supposed to be a 10 week program that they were able to run for 18 weeks
City Council believes that the citizens of Nanaimo who are making a unique contribution to their community should be recognized. Any individual, organizations, business, school or youth group can be nominated. Nominations are assessed by SPAC and are then recommended to City Council. Individual awards will be based on designs by local artist AJ Hughes. There will be advertising for the Social Development Awards in the Nanaimo Bulletin and Daily News as well as a press release and a post on the SPAC website