Lobbying may pay off for agency

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 15, 2010 12:00 PM

Politicians could permanently rally behind an organization that helps youth at risk. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee will investigate whether it provides guaranteed, annual funding to the Teen Junction Youth Centre. “It would allow them to focus on the programs and make improvements in the community,” said Wayne Lippert, GVAC chairman. Coldstream — one of GVAC’s four participating jurisdictions — has already indicated support for funding. “Having it labelled under our recreation function makes sense,” said director Jim Garlick. Ideally, 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.

Permanent closure of the non-profit agency was considered last fall after government funding was in doubt. However, a one-time grant of $30,000 from the City of Vernon and $15,000 from the community allowed activities to continue. But Teen Junction officials admit that financial uncertainty could arise again, and help is needed. “We need stable, ongoing funding,” said treasurer Juliette Cunningham. “All we’re doing is fighting to keep the doors open.”

Teen Junction provides a number of services to disadvantaged youth between the ages of 14 and 18, including recreation, meals, clothing and an advocate to help youth return to school. Referrals are also made to other local services such as housing, counselling and addiction treatment. “A majority of the youth live in very difficult family situations if they’re living with a family at all,” said Debbie Schiller, executive director. If the centre were to close, Schiller says the youth face ongoing cycles of low education, poverty and unemployment, as well as drug and alcohol addiction and sexual exploitation. She believes the community would benefit from the centre being open 25 hours a week. “It would take pressure off the downtown core,” said Schiller. “They (youth) would come to the centre instead of loitering and causing problems.” The centre’s recreation programs include basketball, running, gardening, cooking, crafts, computers, movie nights and community excursions. “We are seeing successes and it’s the recreation that’s making the difference,” said Schiller. “We’re giving them life skills. These youth are going to be parents one day and we want them to be better citizens than perhaps their families have been.”Cunningham says many of Teen Junction’s clients don’t access other recreational programs in Greater Vernon. “The more active we keep these kids, the better,” she said.

As a teacher, Garlick is familiar with the challenges facing some teens. “When you have students going off to appointments with their social worker or living on their own, it’s a different world for them,” he said. GVAC presently funds programs at the Boys and Girls Club.