A major infusion of cash will benefit Vernon families. 
The provincial government is providing $100,000 to the First Nations Friendship Centre to centralize services while the North Okanagan Neurological Association will get $100,000 for its child development centre.
“I am pleased this funding is coming here,” said Tom Christensen, Okanagan Vernon MLA. The money for the First Nations Friendship Centre will help it establish a hub where childhood development, child-minding and prenatal programs will be located. Renovations have started at the two Friendship Centre buildings on 29th Avenue. “This grant will allow us to create a better space where we can support parents and acknowledge and cherish the unique developmental needs of each child,” said Jessie Nyberg, the centre’s childhood development co-ordinator.
The provincial government is providing $100,000 to the First Nations Friendship Centre to centralize services while the North Okanagan Neurological Association will get $100,000 for its child development centre.
“I am pleased this funding is coming here,” said Tom Christensen, Okanagan Vernon MLA. The money for the First Nations Friendship Centre will help it establish a hub where childhood development, child-minding and prenatal programs will be located. Renovations have started at the two Friendship Centre buildings on 29th Avenue. “This grant will allow us to create a better space where we can support parents and acknowledge and cherish the unique developmental needs of each child,” said Jessie Nyberg, the centre’s childhood development co-ordinator. Christensen fully supports centralizing services. “They do really good work at the centre but the challenge is they are crunched for space. It is something they have identified as a critical need,” he said. The $100,000 for NONA will allow it to complete the third floor of the child development centre on 34th Street. “It helps our project considerably. It’s a significant gift,” said Helen Armstrong, NONA executive director. The funds will also allow NONA to reduce the mortgage it has on the building. Construction of the new centre cost $2.3 million, but a fundraising campaign fell short by $500,000. A mortgage has been taken out and the third floor is being rented out to generate revenue. This is the second time NONA has received $100,000 in gaming money from the government. “It’s proof that they believe in what we are doing and it is a good investment for the community,” said Armstrong. Christensen has strong praise for the community and how it rallied behind NONA. “It’s a great site for delivery of services to special needs kids,” he said.
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