Thanks community for your generosity

Dear Editor:

I write in celebration of the generosity of South Okanagan communities. Over the course of pandemic closures this spring, the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre faced serious financial struggle. As did many.

For us, the crisis was a result of reduced billing for treatment, reduced parent fees and cancellation of fundraising events. We were worried. And then our communities — both individuals and businesses — came to the rescue.

The South Okanagan has a history of supporting children. In 1996, the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre was built beside Penticton Regional Hospital as a result of this support. Today, our centre which provides clinical developmental treatment, family support and early childhood programming, sees over 1,600 children annually.

The gravity of a fragile and dated provincial funding model leading to treatment waiting lists for children with diagnosed developmental challenges is a topic for another day. We will continue to address those obstacles. This letter is to voice our profound gratitude for the generosity and kindness shown to OSNS by so many community minded people and groups.

It is the priority of OSNS to provide children — especially those who are vulnerable — with the best start in life. On behalf of our team, our board of directors, and especially our children, thank you to the many people who helped us keep our Centre in place. In a world that currently seems beset with divisive issues, the collective support of children is surely a reason to feel hopeful.

Manisha Willms Executive Director, OSNS Child and

Youth Development Centre