It's been worrying the last couple of weeks to see the closure of two long-time Cowichan non-profits and the withdrawal of programs by another.
It begs the question: is this the end of the falling line of dominoes, or just the beginning?
Cowichan Family Life Association was the first to announce its closure. The organization offered key counselling services in the valley at low to no cost. It was founded in 1970.
The group said that a string of unsuccessful grant applications, with a final blow coming from being turned down by the United Way for funds for youth mental health programs, left them minus $170,000, leaving them with a financial shortfall that was too much to continue. The group does say it hopes to revive in the future, but that's uncertain.
Shortly after the announcement from Cowichan Family Life, Big Brothers Big Sisters Cowichan Valley released a statement saying that they too are being forced to close due to a lack of funds.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Cowichan Valley has been in operation since 1972. Unlike Cowichan Family Life, they are dissolving completely. Fundraising has not kept up with operating costs, which continue to grow, they said.
Then it was Cowichan Valley Youth Services' turn to announce that their Youth Employment Mentorship Program has been cancelled due to the federal government cutting its funding. This program has been operating for almost 20 years and had a 98 per cent success rate, according to the group. It was a pre-employment program for youth, teaching them life and employability skills, with hands-on work experience with local employers so that they could get on their feet and support themselves.
Cowichan Valley Youth Services mentioned the two previous closure announcements, lamenting, “We are absolutely devastated and blindsided by this funding decision….in midst of a growing youth mental health crisis…Our hearts are hurting for youth in the Valley who need this program.”
Children are our future, yet we seem to be abandoning them at an alarming rate, if this is any indication. Or at least we're abandoning the ones who need our help the most.
If the people served by these important organizations don't move you to concern, perhaps thoughts of your own pocketbook will. Non-profits provide services to some of the most vulnerable in our society, who would otherwise have to been supported by the government — and our taxes.
Want to prevent a future of homelessness and drug abuse? These are exactly the kinds of programs we need to support for our youth so they take a better path in life.
