Tree of Hope: BGC Okanagan Clubs have impact
“Today was the best day,” is a saying quite often heard at BGC Okanagan Clubs and a feeling that children and youth need in their lives now more than ever.
As the charity of choice for the Tree of Hope campaign, along with the YMCA of Southern Interior BC, donations from the community will have double the impact to ensure more “best days” are ahead for the thousands of young people and families that both non-profit organizations serve.
The campaign is over halfway ($300,000) to reaching the fundraising goal of $500,000, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Stober Foundation. These funds will help provide barrier-free, innovative, relevant, and responsive programs.
More than just child care
While many may know BGC Okanagan as a provider of child care, that just scratches the surface of the life-changing programs they provide.
“Yes, our Clubs provide child care for kids of all ages but we also have recreation, youth and family support programs and services that help all young people discover who they are, what they can do and support them with how they can get there,” said Jeremy Welder, CEO of BGC Okanagan.
This includes ensuring young people have a safe place to come after school, that no child in our care goes hungry, opportunities for families to play together and for youth to learn life skills. BGC Okanagan programs also assist youth that struggle with mental health, homelessness, unemployment, school disengagement, or other barriers to reach their full potential.
BGC Okanagan Clubs never take a single approach when it comes to helping kids succeed. It takes passionate people, a safe environment, high-quality programs, and unique experiences to ensure kids have a great future.
Our Clubs have impact
In a recent survey, 85 per cent of young people at BGC Okanagan Clubs reported that they are more confident, 87 per cent said they make better choices in life and 91 per cent said they are more connected to the people they like to spend time with because of the Club.
“Club participants are not just attending a drop-in to hang out with friends or receive homework help. They aren’t just attending arts or physical activity recreation programs. It is within these programs that they are also intentionally gaining new experiences, building positive relationships, developing confidence, learning the values of belonging, respect and working together,” said Welder.
This holiday season, all donations made to the Tree of Hope Campaign will be matched by The Stober Foundation. All funds raised will support the YMCA of Southern Interior BC and BGC Okanagan. Learn more or consider making a donation at https://my.charitableimpact.com/campaigns/the-tree-of-hope.