It Takes a Village. . . And, You Can Make a Difference – Donate Now

October 31

The group who came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome IWAV Executive Director Alicia Herbert was small but enthusiastic. We got an added bonus by also welcoming our Library Director Karen Hudson, wearing her hat as one of seven advisory committee members meeting weekly to move the IWAV Norton Road initiative forward. (And, later in our time together, Alicia and Karen gave a “shout out” to Elizabeth FitzZaland who is also an invaluable member of this Norton Road committee.)

In her Land Acknowledgement, Alicia spoke of respect and inclusion on our unceded land, noting that the proposed Norton Road land purchase relates to unceded land and that IWAV is determined to ensure that decisions about this land, if acquired, are made with deliberation through inclusive collaboration. 

Before beginning to learn more about this exciting Norton Road opportunity, we all took a moment to introduce ourselves. With three ASK Salt Spring Board Members present, we took this opportunity to also acknowledge the Institute for Sustainability, Education, and Action – I-SEA: (https://www.i-sea.ca/) and executive Director Peter Allen for ongoing support for ASK Salt Spring and the just-received check of $1,000 to cover our expenses this year. (Thank-you Peter and I-SEA!) 

Alicia is clearly “excited and delighted” by her role as Executive Director of IWAV – Islanders Working Against Violence (https://iwav.org/), a position she has held for three years. Some of us were saddened to learn that those we love are hurt by domestic and other forms of violence far too frequently. IWAV was founded in 1992 in response to the tragic act of violence against a woman and her daughter. Founded by a dedicated group of women committed to compassion, equity, and action, IWAV was established as a needed catalyst for change. The IWAV commitment to address this violence and give women and children a safe haven was immensely helped when a woman generously purchased and donated a home as this haven. 

This crisis support is needed as much today as when IWAV was founded over 30 years ago: In 2024, the IWAV Crisis Line (250-537-0717 or 1-888-537-0717) took 457 calls and sheltered more than 50 women and children in short term accommodations (up to 30 days). IWAV offers Cedars, the bridge between the shelter and long term living accommodations housing women and families for up to 18 months.

IWAV also offers a full range of services for victims of violence including counselling, and support accessing agencies who offer legal, financial, child custody, and housing supports. IWAV started offering Sexual Assault Services in 2021 including counselling and the coordination of services for recent and historical survivors. 

It soon became clear to IWAV volunteers and staff that more than crisis intervention was needed. The vulnerable members of our community need long-term housing and that, without this housing, regaining stability is often nearly impossible. Serendipitously, in 2015, the Lions came to IWAV with an offer they graciously accepted: Would IWAV like to take over ownership and management of Croftonbrook, then a 24-unit affordable living option. Seeing Croftonbrook as an amazing option for IWAV clients ready to transition to permanent housing as well as so many others in our community needing stable accommodations, the IWAV Board agreed.

As most of us know, an added benefit of Croftonbrook was that the property was big enough to accommodate further development. This property now totals 74 units of mixed income housing including those paying shelter rates, those with subsidized options, and some paying controlled market-rates. A truly multi-faceted and inclusive community, Croftonbrook has become our local model of:

  • Tenacity, eventually convincing the Province to allow a never-before approved water system including catchment and grey water; 
  • Determination to amass the needed funding; and
  • Capable, compassionate management of this affordable housing community. 

So, who is Alicia? Courageously inheriting the enormous leadership footprint formerly held by Kisae Peterson, Alicia arrived on Salt Spring in 1987 with her husband, determined to be a WWOOFer, Willing Workers on Organic Farms, (https://wwoof.ca/en/),even before the term was popular. Successful in her dream, they spent two years on an organic farm. During this time, she also began to join boards committed to the things in which she believed including nonprofits focused on watershed protection, family, and children’s issues. She also worked at Islands Savings as their commercial banker and assistant branch manager, a position she left just three years ago to take up the reins of IWAV.

Before becoming its Executive Director, Alicia served six years on the IWAV Board, the maximum allowable, as well as completing her Masters of Arts in Leadership at Royal Roads University.

When she arrived to lead IWAV in 2023, it was clear that the rapid growth of their organization, notably the full operation of Croftonbrook as well as a number of other support services, demanded a period of stabilization. Immersing herself and the Board in restructuring and policy development, Alicia is pleased that IWAV is now fully-prepared for its next challenge. 

Today’s challenge is the acquisition of the Norton Road property, an 11.8 acre property with woods, an orchard, space for food production, a large home, and an Islands Trust-approved density of 26 housing units. While this property has been in the news frequently over the years, the current state of play is that it was recently listed for sale for $2.85 million and that IWAV has a conditional offer to purchase it if sufficient funds can be acquired by January 2026.

Community enthusiasm for this project is huge. Frustrated for years with a growing need for affordable/worker housing, many are pleased that there is now something concrete that they can do to move this project forward: find the money. Progress toward this goal of raising enough funding by January has been heartening. As the fundraising was launched, the Salt Spring Island Foundation committed $400,000 to this project, an unusually large commitment clearly indicating their support for this project. The Foundation is also serving as the secure depository for community donations. Many cheered when, almost immediately, another community donor added another $40,000 to fund.

Now, only weeks into this project, finances are looking extremely promising. If a short term goal of $300,000 is raised by December, IWAV will be in a good position, with only $550,000 more needed to close the sale in January. Enthusiasm and confidence permeated our gathering, with Alicia saying, ”IWAV is in an excellent position to take this on right now.” 

Things are aligning well with significant funding commitments, zoning in place, and infrastructure looking promising with drilled wells four times the flow of that at Croftonbrook and a commitment from Gary Holman to support extending the sewer line. And, don’t forget, IWAV also has that proven track record of successfully funding, building, and operating Salt Spring’s model affordable living community. 

Alicia warned us that “complacency is dangerous” and that now is the time for us to secure this great property so that IWAV can deliver on its promise to provide the housing we need.

When we asked what can we do, the response was:

While Alicia was clear about the IWAV commitment to acquire Norton Road, when we asked, specifically, what would be built there, the answer was only that it would meet the housing needs of our community. Karen, temporarily donning her Library hat, told us of the significant difference she noticed almost immediately when the 74-units of Croftonbrook were completed and occupied. Before its completion, she noticed unrest in the library as well as in Ganges, typifying it as getting pretty “dodgy,” especially at night. As soon as Croftonbrook opened, things changed with far fewer folks wandering aimlessly with nowhere to call home. A former IWAV Board member, Karen is convinced that, “Housing people is our answer.”  

Will the buildout of Norton Road look much like Croftonbrook? Alicia and IWAV are keeping their options open, saying “Some important new projects are just opening, or, like King’s Lane, are close on the horizon. If we are successful with this purchase we will look at the next greatest community need.” 

A new assessment of housing needs will factor in some of our housing successes, like the just completed Drake Road supportive housing (https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/salt-spring-island-supportive-housing)and Lady Minto Foundation ’s Heartwood House (formerly the Seabreeze Inne). (https://ladymintofoundation.com/news/strengthening-healthcare/)

Will the GISRA Kings Lane Project (https://www.gisra.ca/post/50-workforce-housing-units-slated) get the funding it needs to proceed? Alicia passionately hopes the answer is “Yes!” However, this success would also influence our housing needs. Before making any specific housing commitments, the Norton Road Acquisition Project needs to be completed. Only then will designs begin.

Given that this property is 11.8 acres, will IWAV apply for more than the current 26 densities? Wait and see. We were again reminded that opportunities abound, but we first need to get the donations to secure the property!

One given is that as soon as the property is acquired, the renovation of the existing home to expand services for women and families will begin. IWAV is also determined to make the property a walkable – and lovely – site with pathways and gardens. Alicia and the Board are intent upon maintaining the orchard and producing organic food (Alicia was a WWOOFer after all!) as well as encouraging walking and wheeling to and from Ganges. 

As our time together drew to a close, Alicia shared that there have been a few middle-of-the-night fears – “Whatever are we doing?” – but that she always remembers that IWAV will not be doing it alone: Instead, this is community collaboration. And, on that powerful note, we bid Alicia and Karen a fond farewell, wishing them success on their fundraising quest, appreciative of the energy, wisdom, experience, and optimism they are bringing to this exciting housing opportunity. (Thanks, Alicia and Karen!) 

And remember, donate now, everything helps! 

(https://ssifoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1596).

Just in case you are interested. . . .This report has been written by Gayle Baker, founder of ASK Salt Spring, currently also a Salt Spring Local Community Commissioner. It has been reviewed and edited by Alicia.