The Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre (CFEC) was successful in receiving $200,000 from Community Action Initiative (CAI) funds to address the mental health of vulnerable youth.
"On behalf of the board and staff of CFEC, I'm honoured to accept this grant from CAI," said CFEC executive director Lisa De Paoli at a press conference in Vancouver yesterday (Jan. 17) morning.
"Our CAI project is titled 'Involve our Youth - Meaningful Youth Engagement in the South Cariboo'." The youth are the future of the South Cariboo De Paoli said, adding many young people feel disengaged, unattached, have low self-esteem and do not have hope in the future.
She noted there are limited recreational facilities and few jobs for youth when they graduate from secondary school.
"I was thrilled and pleased to hear that CFEC has been successful in the 'Involve our Youth' grant submission," said Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett.
"The services and program this grant will enable CFEC to develop are vital to the health and welfare of the youth in our community. The team members of CFEC have shown us how valuable they are to the South Cariboo."
The community is losing the energy, drive and commitment of our youth, De Paoli said, adding the goal of the project is to bring youth and the community together to understand each other and identify ways to help youth be healthy and happy.
"Our youth employment services program is an example of a great success story. Over 80 per cent of the students graduating from our program have a job or go back to school."
De Paoli gave an example of a young man who entered the program angry and with no plans for the future. Through the program, he learned how to deal with his anger. After sharing with staff his dream of being an electrician, he worked hard and got a placement in an electrical business in 100 Mile House, as the company hired him as their electrical apprentice.
Through the Involve our Youth project, De Paoli said they would be establishing a youth-driven process, where First Nations and non-First Nations youth will lead community members to understand youth engagement and mentorship.
She explained the groups will develop five-year plans and will implement projects to help youth to be proud citizens of the South Cariboo, and the local community to see youth as the solution.
"We are very grateful to the CAI Provincial Steering Committee and the Ministry of Children and Family Development for their inspiring vision in creating this opportunity for communities to not only implement programs, but also to create a process by which a community can work together to find and share solutions to mental health and substance abuse use issues in British Columbia."
CFEC acting program manager, community development, Chris Pettman said this project will be a wonderful opportunity to involve First Nations and non-First Nations youth and the community to work together to build solutions to help youth be healthy and happy and proud citizens of the South Cariboo.
"I am very proud to be the project leader for the 'Involve our Youth - Meaningful Youth Engagement in the South Cariboo'.
"We greatly appreciate the support of the community and Canim Lake Band in this initiative."
Youth in the community who are interested in being part of this project are asked to call Pettman at 250-395-5155, or e-mail cpettman@cariboofamily.org.