Millions of dollars in donations flowed in after last year’s car-ramming attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver that killed 11 and injured dozens.
A CBC News analysis found more than $5.5 million was raised by United Way B.C., Filipino B.C., the Archdiocese of Vancouver, the Red Cross and more than two dozen GoFundMe campaigns.
But families and survivors say too much of the money went to third-party organizations and community programs, rather than directly to the people injured or bereaved.
“Donations were made by the public in good faith, with the clear expectation that financial support would directly benefit victims and families,” wrote Vanessa Hill in a May 13 letter to United Way B.C. on behalf of survivors obtained by CBC.
Hill’s boyfriend, AJ Sico, suffered a traumatic brain injury and stroke and requires ongoing medical care. AJ’s cousin, Jendhel May Sico, was killed.
Hill questioned why most of the $1.65 million raised through United Way B.C.’s Kapwa Strong Fund was allocated to “intermediary organizations” rather than direct financial assistance for victims. Those grants supported initiatives including mental health counselling, art therapy and revitalizing a basketball court.
“Many victims and families have not been contacted, consulted, or meaningfully engaged by several of the organizations receiving and administering funds,” Hill wrote.
In its initial appeal, United Way said it would provide “immediate assistance, counseling & trauma services, and other critical support” for those devastated by the traumatic event.
One month later, United Way B.C. opened grant applications for charities and non-profits while individuals seeking support were directed to BC211 or its helpline.
Now, its website says the fund was “intentionally designed to support medium- and long‑term recovery, which is where United Way B.C. plays its strongest and most appropriate role.”
United Way B.C. said it splits its emergency responses between immediate needs and long-term supports, which “tend to be overlooked.” It told CBC all the money in its Kapwa Strong Fund has been distributed.
But Kate Bahen, managing director of Charity Intelligence Canada, says the public messaging at the time of the appeal constitutes a “promise to the donors” that charities are obligated to fulfill.
“[United Way B.C.] is a granting organization, yet that is in conflict with, when the tragedy happened, what it promised to do. It promised to meet the immediate needs of those impacted by the tragedy,” Bahen said.
She said charities must consult survivors on spending priorities after a tragedy.
“At the end of the day, it was the outpouring of emotions from all Canadians to support these families,” she said. “It almost becomes a revictimization or a re-exploitation when those promises are not met.”
The biggest recipient of United Way funds was Filipino B.C., through designated donations and a grant to support its “transition from volunteer-driven organization.”
Filipino B.C. did not provide CBC a spending breakdown, but said the money supported “temporary housing, medical and dental care, mental health services, food security, travel” for victims and their families.
Filipino B.C. chair says Lapu-Lapu Day victims need more government aid
Though it has referred to itself as a charity in past reports and interviews, Filipino B.C. is not yet a charity. It says it expects confirmation about its charitable status application this summer.
“In the absence of coordinated provincial leadership, our organization was thrust into responsibilities that would ordinarily fall to government agencies during a mass‑casualty response,” it said in a statement to CBC.
Blaine Redlac’s partner, Jendhel May Sico, was among those killed. He says it was Filipino B.C.’s “ethical obligation” to help fill gaps in urgent medical and rehabilitative care for victims and their families.
“They did not,” said Redlac, who lost his leg in the attack and now suffers from severe PTSD. “They only made it more challenging.”
Festival attack survivor says victims weren’t consulted in grant allocations
Redlac wants the government to intervene.
“No disrespect to any of these organizations that took the money,” he said, “But … that came at the expense of victims like AJ Sico getting time-sensitive care.”
Several board members resigned from Filipino B.C. in December, including Tony Ortega, who left over financial transparency concerns and reports that victims were receiving “little or no support.” He says AJ Sico needs $60,000 for medical treatment in the U.S. that isn’t available in Canada.
United Way B.C. said it focused on long-term community healing because other platforms and government programs were already offering direct financial support to victims.
“That’s the gap that we filled, taking our cue from community leaders.”
But research has shown that money spent on short-term response has “far more impact,” Bahen said.
“The evidence clearly states that direct cash transfers to victims is the best way.”
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That’s the approach of the Canadian Red Cross, which told CBC that 80 per cent of the money it raised has already been disbursed to “families who lost loved ones or to individuals who were hospitalized as a result of the tragic events,” with the remaining funds to be released “when they are ready to be received.”
Likewise, GoFundMe said donations to its verified campaigns were “delivered directly to the designated beneficiaries, the families and individuals impacted.”
A fund started by the Sico family earlier this year is supporting AJ’s long-term care.
Other community organizations and provincial politician Mable Elmore have called on Kapwa Strong Fund grant recipients to redirect any unused funds to victims.
One, the Maple Bamboo Network Society, told CBC it has $3,500 it plans to return.
United Way B.C. said unused funds would go to United Filipino Canadian Associations in B.C. (UFCABC), a coalition of more than 65 societies that received over $332,000 for direct distribution to individuals.
The coalition told CBC it has a “long list of pre-approved victims in our database who have not received financial help.”
In April, Filipino B.C. received the remaining $166,000 in designated donations from United Way B.C. It has hired accounting firm MNP to conduct an independent audit and promised to publicly release the findings and its annual report.
The Archdiocese of Vancouver told CBC it raised approximately $400,000 in its ongoing appeal and distributed 40 per cent of these funds. Individuals and organizations can apply for a grant for food and medical expenses, it said.
