麻豆精选鈥檚 only youth shelter is currently struggling to meet the complex demands of the community and has failed to meet its funding goals by $380,000.
"Funding the shelter has always been a challenge, but our shift to meet the complex needs of today鈥檚 youth comes with increased costs," said Sarah MacKinnon, vice-president of youth, family and community programs at BGC Okanagan, which operates the youth shelter. "We simply can鈥檛 close the gap on our own anymore."
Without a clear path to long-term funding, BGC Okanagan is now asking the community to rally together to protect the shelter and associated services that help 麻豆精选's most vulnerable youth.
Unlike adult shelters, which are supported through BC Housing, there is no provincial funding oversight for emergency housing for youth.
"Nobody wants a young person to need a shelter, but when they do, it has to be there... It saves lives," said MacKinnon.
She explained that it is essential that minors have access to a dedicated shelter that is separate from adult environments.
To date, the youth shelter has operated in a "bare bones" model with funding from the federal and provincial government. However, increasing complexity among youth seeking shelter has led BGC Okanagan to shift its model of care, which requires additional staff, supports and funding.
鈥淵outh accessing the shelter today are facing far more complex challenges than in years past including higher rates of mental health concerns, the lingering effects of COVID-19 isolation and trauma, and the devastating impact of the opioid crisis,鈥� said MacKinnon.
"If we want a community where no young person falls through the cracks, we have to be willing to catch them when they do."
Over the last year, the BGCO 麻豆精选 shelter supported 27 minors with overnight stays, and helped divert 40 youth from the streets to safe housing options. Additionally, the organization provided support to eight young adults aged 19 to 24, and staff were involved in seven life-saving interventions.
Community members looking to support the shelter and prevention efforts can donate directly to BGC Okanagan at www.bgco.ca.
Over the coming weeks, BGC Okanagan will be hosting two fundraising events to raise critical funds for youth homelessness initiatives.
Hockey Helps the Homeless 鈥� which is a hockey tournament featuring former NHL players 鈥� will be held on May 22 at MNP Place. The Home Depot Orange Door Project will run from May 27 to June 22. Donations to the Orange Door campaign can be made in-store at 麻豆精选 and West 麻豆精选 locations or online.
For youth housing support, visit BGC Okanagan's website for a list of locations in the north, central and south Okanagan. To contact the 麻豆精选 youth centre, located at 1434 Graham Street in downtown 麻豆精选, call 1(250)762-3914.
