Funds sought for Teen Junction

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: June 12, 2010 12:00 PM

An agency that helps youth at risk will have to overcome a major hurdle if it wants public funds. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee will ask its member jurisdictions if they will financially support the Teen Junction Youth Centre. “This group requires a helping hand at this moment,” said Patrick Nicol, a Vernon director. GVAC cannot create a function to fund Teen Junction unless there is unanimous support from Vernon, Coldstream and the two electoral areas. “We’re talking about youth at risk and if it’s proven that if given assistance, they become contributors to the community,” said chairman Wayne Lippert. “It’s a good investment to offer these programs and give guidance (to youth).” Teen Junction would like GVAC to provide $75,000 annually so it can extend its services to 25 hours a week. Just to maintain current operations at 20 hours a week would take $66,000 a year. “We tend to spend more than then when youth get into trouble with the justice system,” said Lippert. There’s been suggestions that Teen Junction doesn’t fit under the parks and recreation function, but Nicol disagrees. “There is a recreational component,” he said of Teen Junction offering basketball, running, gardening, cooking, crafts, computers, movie nights and community excursions. It also provides meals, clothing and an advocate to help youth return to school.

Opposition to approaching the member jurisdictions came from directors Mike Gavinchuk of BX-Swan Lake, Mike Macnabb of BX-Silver Star and Coldstream director Doug Dirk. Macnabb believes Teen Junction is social in nature, and churches should be asked to assist. “Is there any appetite to approach organizations like this and see if they are willing to support community activities,” he said. Gavinchuk called on his colleagues to recognize that GVAC’s budget is generated from taxpayers. “We are too easy with giving out money,” he said. Dirk says considering Teen Function support is premature when the entire parks and recreation function is currently under review.