Last week was huuuuuge!
The Kelowna Youth Recovery Centre, run by The Bridge Youth and Family Services, officially broke ground at 212 Valley Road! This project has been more than a decade in the making, and seeing it finally start almost felt surreal. A whole community created by the simple thought that kids facing addiction in the Okanagan were getting left behind.
My journey with The Bridge started seven years ago…
…with the Socially Anxious People Person Project, or SAPP. I created a third party fundraiser that benefitted the youth recovery project. I began it to turn my experiences with Social Anxiety Disorder into something positive and along the way, it launched my headshot and photography business. Fun fact, one of the first headshots I ever took was of John Yarschenko, the outgoing Executive Director of The Bridge. Just look at all the snazzy headshots I have done fore the Bridge over the Years!
What hit me most at the ground breaking ceremony was the donor list.
I recognized so many names and it reminded me that every single contribution matters. I can remember my beautiful friend, Kara, sending toonies in every letter she mailed to me for months. Such a simple beautiful act of kindness and support. Well those toonies add up and every single donation joined together to make something life changing for generations.
This centre is going to be way more than just a building.
Youth facing substance use challenges will have access to detox, treatment and recovery programs, aftercare, transitional housing and even innovative therapies like agriculture and animal-assisted programs.
Life has come full circle for me. Now, I also have the incredible honour of serving on the board of directors at The Bridge. Being part of this community, alongside city leaders, volunteers, donors and fundraising champions, is a reminder that hope is built together. That’s truly what life is about.
Big Love,
Nicole
Wax Pencil Imagery