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RLWI Community Projects

The Ryder Lake Women's Institute has successfully applied for several grants to allow us to fund our programs and to update the Ryder Lake Hall.  We would like to acknowledge the support of these organizations and the wonderful volunteers and local suppliers who've donated their time.

2022: Chilliwack Foundation grant for the Women's washroom renovations

In May 2021 the Ryder Lake Women's Institute applied to the Chilliwack Foundation for a grant to help renovate the women's washroom at the Ryder Lake Hall.   In July 2021 we were delighted to receive funding of $10,000 from the Foundation towards this project.​   Work started on the renovations in February 2022 as the Hall is traditionally used very seldom for events at this time of year.  Before photos from December 2021 of the very dated 1963 décor before the renovation:

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The washroom was completed on schedule and within the $10,000 grant allotment thanks to the wonderful support from local companies who donated their services, and to an amazing team of volunteers! 

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2022 - 2023: New Horizons for Seniors Program grant 

April 2022:  The Ryder Lake Women's Institute received funding from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program for our project "Seniors connecting, communicating, and capturing memories in the digital world."

The funds were to be used to:​

  • provide training and mentorship for seniors to learn and confidently utilize technology;

  • provide workshops on topics such as identifying potential fraud activities and scams, how to use Zoom, Facebook and other social media;

  • provide weekly drop-in sessions at the Ryder Lake Hall for seniors and other residents to socialize in a safe and supportive environment;

  • hire a part time Program Coordinator to facilitate these weekly sessions and workshops.

​For more information, visit New Horizons for Seniors Program – Community-based projects.

With these grant funds we purchased a ceiling mounted projector and upgraded the sound system, as well as laptops and scanners for use at the Cafe.

 

2026 Update:  Our Connections Cafe returns for its 5th year!

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Logo_Funded in part by.

2023 - : BC Gaming Commission grants

The Ryder Lake Women's Institute has applied for and received continued funding for the Connections Cafe for the last several years.

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2025 : Chilliwack Monarch Dogwood Lions

We received funding for a commercial dishwasher from the Dogwood Lions which greatly enhances the rental features of the Hall as well as being much appreciated by volunteers working on refreshments for community events!

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2026 : Chilliwack Foundation

Thanks to a grant from the Chilliwack Foundation and a donation from Hellam Plumbing we were able to install a new electric range with double ovens, and a new hood fan at the Ryder Lake Hall!

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2021:  Cookbook

The Ryder Lake Women's Institute Cookbook was a pandemic project to keep in touch while meetings were not permitted.  It was published in May 2021 and contains over 180 recipes submitted by our members and friends.   

 

Each recipe includes personal notes plus there are some fun old heritage recipes and snippets of historical information about the WI.  This was a wonderful virtual collaborative project undertaken during COVID.

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The cookbook is now out of print.

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