The Penticton Skate Park was home to a community-wide gathering on Friday, May 6, in recognition of provincial Youth Week.
From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the talents of local youth were on display through a number of different skateboard and scooter competitions.
The event was headlined by the competitions at the park, as well as a by-donation barbecue sponsored by the Penticton Fire Department.
All proceeds from the meal went towards local youth homelessness initiatives.
“We really wanted to take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Nowhere to Go Report on youth homelessness,” said Melisa Edgerly, a youth peer support supervisor at Foundry Penticton.
“For all of us that work with youth in the community, we are very excited to dedicate this week to youth and to celebrate them. We know that they are our future and that they bring so much character and vibrancy to our community.”
The aforementioned report, stating that 1 in 20 people aged 12 to 24 in Penticton may be homeless, was endorsed by city council in February.
READ ALSO: Report to Penticton council says 1 in 20 youth may be homeless
Local addiction recovery program Discovery House and IGA were also present at Friday’s event, in support of the cause.
Organizations across the city came together this week to provide free opportunities and educational programs for youth, with art and cooking classes among the activities available.
Back at the park, meanwhile, prizes were given out throughout the day to those who competed in one of the three competitive categories: scooter, beginner skateboarding, and intermediate skateboarding.
“Youth have had a challenging couple of years, and we need to show them it’s going to get better,” Edgerly told council at a May 3 meeting.
Youth Week was celebrated in communities across B.C. from May 1 to 7.
@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
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