Youth in Powell River will soon have a new resource centre.
Renovations are underway at Oceanview Education Centre to build the new Youth Resource Centre after Powell River Child, Youth and Family Services Society (PRCYFSS) was given a $53,000 grant from Powell River Community Forest Ltd.
“They gave us that grant so that we could renovate that space at Oceanview and the School District [47] is providing us the space at almost no cost,” said Heather Gordon, PRCYFSS executive director. “That was really lovely.”
The society had operated a centrally located resource centre on Joyce Avenue near Powell River Town Centre Mall for a year and a half, but planned the move to the Oceanview location when the opportunity was offered by the district, Gordon said.
The resource centre ran a drop-in program three evenings a week which provided a safe space with activities and youth-focused programs. The centre closed its doors in late January after being unsuccessful in its bid for a government gaming grant.
Since then the society has refiled its application for gaming funds and will continue to look for other funding. When the new resource centre opens this summer, it will offer a drop-in program one evening per week. “This is something we see as realistically sustainable,” said Gordon. “If we are successful in finding another source of significant funding then we would consider increasing our drop-in program. What we’re doing is making sure to build something that is sustainable in the community.”
Because Oceanview is not as central as the former location, the society is looking at different options for shuttling youth between the mall and Oceanview, she said.
In addition to the drop-in program, the renovated space at Oceanview will also house Powell River Youth Advisory Council, Youth In Care Network, and will serve as a hub for a variety of community-based youth-focused programs.
PRCYFSS has recently hired a new youth worker, Renelle Wikene, who will work directly with youth and support them in planning and preparing the activities for the drop-in at the new location. “She’s lots of fun and will be a great asset to the new centre,” said Gordon.
In addition, PRCYFSS staff are reaching out to youth-focused community groups who might be interested in using the new centre for their own programming. “It’s a community space,” she said. “A resource for the youth in the community. Our vision is to make that resource available to the community’s youth organizations even if we’re not able to provide the same number of drop-in evenings.” To find out more information about how organizations can book space in the centre, readers can contact Gordon at 604.485.3090 or by email at hgordon@prcyfss.com.
