Province brings funding to Penticton youth centre

A Penticton youth resources centre is set to be open for the beginning of the next school year with assistance from the provincial government.

Organizers of the Youth Engagement Strategy Project announced Friday a $400,000 commitment to open a Foundry branch at the project’s headquarters in downtown Penticton.

The city will become the eighth community in B.C. to host a Foundry, which serves as a one-stop-shop for health services.

"It's exactly what we were hoping to do with the YES Project," said Aaron McRann, executive director of the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen,

who, along with around 20 community partners and over 100 local youth, worked since 2013 to make the project a reality.

“By adding Penticton to the Foundry network, we’re helping more youth and their families get access to life-changing supports and services that will help them live a healthier life – physically and mentally,” Mental Health and Addictions Minister Judy Darcy said in a press release.

The newest Foundry will be operated by the Penticton and District Community Resources Society.

"It's a really good alignment. Everything the Foundry does is aligned with what the YES Project is trying to accomplish," said McRann.

The YES Project takes possession of 501 Main St., the site where the youth centre will be located, on Jan. 15.

Foundry services will now be the anchor tenant in the building, McRann said, taking up the main floor with three other youth service organizations to take residence on the second floor.

"At any time there might be five, six or 10 different service providers providing service out of there, whether it's an addictions counsellor, primary care physician, job counselling, housing, budget work, tutoring. Any of those things," McRann said.

The community foundation has launched a $3 million campaign to ensure the new resources centre meets the unique needs of young people and their families in Penticton, raising $910,000 so far.

"It's really taken a lot of collaboration and work and we're really proud at this point. Everyone is really super excited to see it finally happen," McRann said. "A youth centre was identified as a key requirement for our community in 2013 and, honestly, at the time I don't think any of us thought we could make it happen."

Those looking to help out with the fundraising efforts can visit www.cfso.net.