The non-profit agency DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society received $125,000 donation from Satnam Johal and Jagmohan Singh fronted New Horizons Village Society, which received the controversial $200,000 funding from the Christy Clark BC Liberal government just before the 2017 provincial election. It is not yet known what Horizons did with the other $75,000. DIVERSEcity will use the funding to build on programs for youth and seniors, including intergenerational programs that connect both groups.

By PD Raj – Senior Writer DESIBUZZCanada

SURREY – BC Liberal insiders Satnam Johal and Jagmohan Singh fronted New Horizons Village Society has dumped $125,000 of the controversial $200,000 funding they received from the Christy Clark BC Liberal government just before the 2017 provincial election to a non-profit organization based in Surrey.

The non-profit agency DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society received $125,000 donation from Kulwinder Badesha, Johal and Singh’s New Horizons Village Society. It is not yet known what Horizons did with the other $75,000.

DESIBUZZCanada did reach out to DIVERSEcity regarding the funding and what happened to the other $75,000 but they did not return our message. The NDP, which was critical of the funding, has also not yet commented on the changed of hands for the $125,000 of the $200,000 funding.

DIVERSEcity, which received the funds on Tuesday morning at a press conference attended by MP Randeep Sarai, Brenda Locke and NDP MLA Jinny Sims, will use the funding to build on programs for youth and seniors, including intergenerational programs  that connect both groups

“Our mission here at DIVERSEcity is to inspire belonging among newcomers of all cultures and walks of life — and generations, too.Reaching out to both the oldest and youngest members of our community to ensure they feel connected to the community is part of what we do everyday,” said Neelam Sahota, CEO, DIVERSEcity. “This donation allows us to build on the programs we offerthat improve the wellness and connection of seniors and youth, both separately as well as in programs that connect these two groups together.”

The organization said in a press release that the donation will support three key DIVERSEcity programs that focus on reducing social isolation, building community connections, and encouraging mentorship between seniors and youth.

The donation will also benefit DIVERSEcity’s HealthySelf, Healthy Families program, which provides mental health and wellness supports for refugee and immigrant youth, and their families. As many vulnerable newcomer youthexperience many complexities, including trauma throughout the resettlement experience, this programprovidesthe tools to navigate those complexities and assist with changing family dynamics, addictive and behavioural issues, affinity to gang involvement and mental wellbeing.

New Horizons Village Society was incorporated by Satnam Johal, KulwinderBadesha and  Jagmohan Singh shortly before receiving the funding, which has been criticized as benefiting BC Liberal friends and insiders. New Horizons said it was formed with  a purpose to connect the seniors and youth of the Fraser Valley, irrespective of their cultural, religious or ethnic background to promote health, safety, wellness, art, education and housing.

“We started New Horizons Village Society to promote health and wellness among seniors and youth, including bringing these two groups together to connect and learn from each other,” said Satnam Johal, a New Horizons board director. “We decided that a partnership with DIVERSEcity, who is already an industry leader in providing non-profit programming with a similar vision for seniors and youth, was the way we could make the biggest and most effective impact in the community.”