Help for troubled kids
Metro Vancouver
By Tia Abell
At least 200 more children vulnerable to crime, addiction and exploitation will be able to join a mentoring program thanks to a $1 million Vancity grant.
The PLEA Community Services Society of B.C.'s KidStart Mentoring Program, which matches children aged six and older with adult volunteer mentors in a program similar to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, was awarded the money yesterday after winning a vote by bank members.
"It takes your breath away," said Tim Agg, PLEA's executive director, adding that the society would use the money to fund the KidStart Mentoring Centre as well as expand the program to Victoria and Campbell River.
"This is going to more than double our program in the next three years. We see 150 kids on any one day — now we'll be able to help 300 to 400 kids."
The new centre will bring all the KidStart programs together and allow the society to hire extra staff and add reference resources.
Board chair David Duncan thanked the organization's volunteers.
Now in its fifth year, the $1 million Vancity Award program is the largest of its kind in Canada.
