BC United leader Kevin Falcon is urging the NDP government to visit Starbright Childrensa国际传媒檚 Development Centre to see firsthand the sa国际传媒榠ncredible thingssa国际传媒� itsa国际传媒檚 doing for kids in Kelowna and area.
Falcon visited the centre Thursday (April 13) to meet with administration and staff and hear their concerns after the NDP pulled funding for the not-for-profit organization earlier this year.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 never the wrong time to do the right thing,sa国际传媒� said Falcon. sa国际传媒淚 want the NDP government to not just provide a stay of execution for two years but to say wesa国际传媒檙e going to keep this going because itsa国际传媒檚 a good thing for the community.sa国际传媒�
In January, funding for Starbright was diverted by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) to a new pilot program of Family Connection Centres (FCC), including one in Kelowna, leaving hundreds of families unsure exactly how services will be provided for their children.
READ MORE: Kelowna childcare facility given two-year extension, supporters shine at rally
sa国际传媒淲hat Isa国际传媒檝e heard is just how difficult itsa国际传媒檚 been,sa国际传媒� added Falcon. sa国际传媒淭heysa国际传媒檝e lost staff because of the uncertainty, families and parents have been traumatized, because their kids have been getting exceptional service here.sa国际传媒�
Falcon had this message for the NDP.
sa国际传媒淧lease come and take some time to listen to the parents and the people that work here and understand the great work that theysa国际传媒檝e done for 65 years in this community. Donsa国际传媒檛 shut down whatsa国际传媒檚 working.sa国际传媒�
Starbright was set to close at the end of June. Due to pressure from parents, the community, city councillors and local MLAs, the organization was given a two-year extension to remain open.
The BC United leader added, should his party eventually form government, it would be 100 per cent committed to funding Starbright.
sa国际传媒淲e have been fighting the NDP from day one when they announced this hub model. We need to get them to move away from this idea that government knows best.sa国际传媒�
Starbright Executive Director, Dr Rhonda Nelson told Capital News that having Falcon visit was affirmation for the board, staff and families.
sa国际传媒淭his was amazingsa国际传媒hat someone in government would come and actually see our facility and see what we do and be able to engage in discussion.sa国际传媒�
Starbright has not heard anything further from MCFD since its contract was extended.
sa国际传媒榃e are clinging to hope right now because we want to be here to serve our families and the words that were spoken today were very reassuring,sa国际传媒� added Nelson.
READ MORE: Strong feelings for Kelownasa国际传媒檚 Starbright Child Centre delivered to Legislature
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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