Powell River Employment Program (PREP) Society is celebrating more than 30 years of endeavour with a big barbecue beach bash this Saturday, May 30.
The non-profit umbrella organization, founded in 1984, is the fund-finding force behind community-based services such as CareerLink, Family Place, Powell River Diversity Initiative, Powell River Community Resource Centre, Powell River Literacy Council, Sunshine Coast Treatment Services, Babies Open New Doors (BOND) and many more.
“PREP is the community’s best kept secret and it shouldn’t be,” said Rose Marie Williams, a 15-year board member. “So many people aren’t aware that they benefit from our work.”
Williams estimates PREP has been able to find jobs for over a thousand people since it began.
Working quietly to match funding with service providers, PREP is now stepping out into the spotlight, all in the name of the cause, said Williams.
“We have to raise awareness in the community that we need the government to help keep running these services,” she explained. “Without the Community Resource Centre, for example, homeless people would be camping out in the bush or hanging out in the street. Now these people are inside, with access to support. We run that centre on a small budget, but we still need the money. If we can’t get funding for the centre it’s going to close and people are going to go back out on the street.”
Margaret Leitner, recently retired, was executive director at PREP for over 23 years. She said she worked hard to find funding and the right people to deliver needed services, and would hate to see successful programs shut down.
Lyn Adamson, current executive director, said PREP is still focused on filling needs gaps in the community.
The 30th anniversary barbecue includes hot dogs, as well as music, a tug-of-war, scavenger hunt and other games. There is also an online trivia contest, with a two-day trip to Vancouver grand prize, including flights and a one-night hotel stay. To enter go to the PREP website.
Adamson encouraged “anyone who has been a client, staff or board member over the years to come out and celebrate all things PREP.” The event takes place between noon and 2 pm at Willingdon Beach Park.
