Sheridan Cooper knows what it is to grow up slipping through the cracks of social and health care systems.
“Youth in our community need a safe place we can call our own, a place we can go to for help. A place that is designed by youth for youth. A place that is accessible and low barrier. A place that is open in the evenings and weekends. A place that offers all the services we need out of one centralized location,” said Cooper, one of the YES (Youth Engagement Strategy) Project youth advisor’s.
Her story is just one of many young people in the community and the reason behind the YES Project and the official launch of the fundraising campaign for the youth resource centre last weekend at the Healthy Living Fair.
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Amberlee Erdmann, YES project co-ordinator, said the Healthy Living Fair provided an opportunity for youth to actively participate in the launch of the fundraising campaign and a platform for YES youth advisors to speak about the project.
“There have been hundreds of youth interviewed who all agree that Penticton needs a youth resource centre,” said Jean Grakul, a YES youth advisor. “It isn’t just us youth saying this. There are over 20 local service providers who are also saying the same thing, Penticton is in urgent need of a youth resource centre.”
In celebration of Canada’s 150th year the Healthy Living Fair partnered with The YES Project to collect donations at the front door for the youth resource centre. The funds raised at the Healthy Living Fair will be added to the $700,000 that has already been raised.
“We are well on our way to reaching our goal of between $1 million to $1.5 million dollars for the youth resource centre,” said Aaron McRann, executive director of CFSOS.
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McRann explained the fundraising goal range is dependent on the location of the youth resource centre and whether it will be a new build or renovation.
The money raised will be going towards building a “one-stop” hub of integrated services for youth aged 12 to 24 years old with a focus on providing professional services, as well as drop-in resources for youth in Penticton. The goal of the youth centre is to offer accessible, timely, youth-friendly and integrated care, as well as providing a safe place for youth to develop a sense of community and belonging.
There are over 20 local organizations who are willing to offer their youth services out of the centre. Offering services out of one location will reduce barriers and provide a continuum of preventative and specialized care. The centre will offer services such as mental health support, addictions counselling, employment support, primary care, wellness support and sexual health support. The centre will also provide access to showers, laundry, food and a wide variety of activities that create a fun, accessible environment for all youth.
Parents, youth and families will have one centralized location to receive youth-specific supports as well as a safe, youth-focused space for youth to gather with friends.
For more information about The YES Project or to make a donation please visit: www.pentictonyouth.ca or call the community foundation at 250-492-9311.