Non-profit receives funding for youth substance treatment program

The Bridge Youth and Family Services has good news to report amidst all the COVID-19 turmoil.

The non-profit charity that services the Central Okanagan has received an anonymous $30,000 donation.

The investment will support their “Youth Recovery House” project for young people under the age of 19 who are experiencing addiction.

Currently, British Columbia has less than 50 publicly funded youth treatment beds. Within the Okanagan, there are zero facility-based treatment options for youth under the age of 17.

“There have been no recent additions to the province’s meager inventory of youth treatment beds and, Kelowna, sadly continues to have no local resource for these highly vulnerable and at-risk children and youth,” said executive director, Celine Thompson. “They continue to languish on wait lists for space to become available in Vancouver, Prince George or out of province.”

The Bridge will use the funds to support Phase 1 of the Youth Recovery House, which includes the operating costs of a six bed youth treatment program.

Having received an outpouring of written support from local mayors and council, The Bridge will continue to apply for grants and rely upon private donations to secure the additional operational resources needed to open the facility. Donations can be accepted through the Youth Recovery House website: www.youthrecoveryhouse.ca

The Bridge Youth & Family Services Society is a not-for-profit, registered charity that has provided innovative and quality programming to the children, youth and families of the Central Okanagan since 1969.