Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 02 April 2012 13:32 Officials say provincial funding will make a big difference to the services provided to Vernon's less fortunate residents. The Upper Room Mission has received a 100-thousand dollar community gaming grant, which chairman Jake Spoor says will be used for their Fresh Start outreach program to help clients move forward. "This is really going to make a difference to the programs we offer, and also probably result in more professional help for some of the difficulties some of our guests go through, so it's just going to make a world of difference." Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster says he's been lobbying his colleagues in Victoria to get funding for the social agency since last year. "I was going to do everything I could possible do to help them realize their dream of getting a new kitchen, and I didn't know what it would be at the time, but I did tell them I would do my best." Foster says the gaming grants are directed at different programs, not so much at capital programs."This will allow the Upper Room Mission to carry on a lot of the programs that they have done for many years, helping people that are less fortunate, and then give them the opportunity to finish their kitchen so they can continue to feed and help people." Manager Lisa Froom says their facility on 27th Avenue is in the midst of a major renovation of their kitchen which should be done by the end of this month. "That will be a huge improvement. Our facilities before were very inadequate. We had some residential and used equipment that was constantly breaking down and now we will have efficient equipment that is commercial, and will also have a commercial dish washing system as well, so it will be great." Froom says the clients in the Fresh Start program are given one-on-one attention from outreach staff and encouraged to make goals and move forward in their lives. "And we are seeing lives changed." Froom says the Mission serves up to 250 people a day, with a client base of over 700 using the services. The facility celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.
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