A critical funding deadline looms large over the Sooke Gathering Place.
 
"If you're considering donating to help create a community legacy, now is the time," says Mary Dunn, vice-president of the Sooke Region Community Health Network (SRCHN).
 
"The next BC Housing Funding proposal is due in early November and as part of this proposal, SRCHN needs to prove how it will fund the construction portion of the project because BC Housing will only pay for costs relating to the housing portion of the build, so we are asking everyone to donate or pledge what they can as soon as possible to ensure a legacy to meet the growing needs of the most vulnerable sector of our community now and for many generations in come."
 
The Gathering Place will provide a place for people to live in Sooke independently, and with vitality.
 
Plans call for a multi-use building with affordable housing for those 55 and older, 5,000 square feet of community space including a commercial kitchen, and rooms organizations or community members can rent for meetings or activities.
 
The space also includes an elders drop-in centre with inter-generational programs aimed at fostering relationships between youth and elders.
 
"The community is what adds quality of life for youth and elders," Dunn said.
 
Research shows providing programming and a place to engage with others is important because research shows when social activity decreases, there is a rapid decline in motor function.
 
Older adults who participated on a daily or weekly basis in social activity reduced the risk of developing dementia by 40 percent compared to those who were not socially engaged.
 
Among older adults with depression, those who were highly socially active were more than 2.5 times more likely to have improvements in their depressive symptoms two years later than those with low social activity.
 
The risk of developing a disability in activities of daily living decreased by 43 percent in a 5 year period for each additional social activity engaged in, the risk of mobility disability decreased by 31 percent.
 
Benefit to youth include the ability to develop resiliency to bounce back from difficult times, supportive relationships, healthy coping strategies, a sense of purpose, emotional self-awareness, and problem-solving skills.
 
"We believe that youth will develop these skills and get the feeling of belonging in community by the relationships they develop at the Sooke Gathering Place," Dunn said.
 
Two businesses have also expressed interest in the space, which would generate rent that will help cover operating costs.
 
SRCHN can accept cash donations, publicly traded stock, and securities.
 
Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $25 or more.
 
Visit the Sooke Gathering Place website to donate or pledge.
 
For e-transfers call 1878-(778) 365.
 
If your donation is $50 or more please let us know if we can include your name in the monthly Sooke News Mirror article.
 
Rick Stiebel.