Local program wins $1 million in funding
Maple Ridge Times
A mentoring program based partially in Maple Ridge for young people vulnerable to crime, addiction and exploitation has won a $1 million grant from Vancity.
This years $1-million Vancity Award goes to PLEA Community Services Society of BC for the expansion of its KidStart Mentoring Program.
The program is for children aged six and older who are vulnerable to high-risk activity. They may struggle with school, hang out with the wrong crowd, attract police attention, be in and out of foster care, demonstrate negative attitudes, or be uncommunicative. Many have engaged in criminal activity, but are too young to be charged.
Through the program, the kids are matched with adult volunteers who build a relationship with them, act as positive role models, and help them build self-esteem and get on the path to success.
Tina Taylor is based out of Maple Ridge and is the co-ordinator of volunteers and community development for PLEA and she was thrilled at the announcement.
?¨It is amazing,?Æ said Taylor. ?¨We were able to expand to a few areas without the million dollars. Now we have this and we??ll be able to expand this to so many other areas, including Vancouver Island. We??ll be able to reach more kids and provide positive mentors for them. It??s pretty exciting.?Æ
She is the only local staff member, but Maple Ridge has a roster of 16 volunteers.
What is needed most right now are more male mentors to step forward.
?¨We match based on gender and right now we have a long waiting list for mentors for boys,?Æ Taylor said.
The funds will be used to purchase a site for a KidStart Mentoring Centre, program expansion in Greater Vancouver and for the expansion of the program to Victoria and Campbell River.
The $1-million Vancity Award, the largest corporate gift of its kind in Canada, was established in 2001 by Vancity??s board of directors to support the social, environmental and economic well-being of the community.
