BC United leader Kevin Falcon is urging the NDP government to visit Starbright Children害羞草研究所檚 Development Centre to see firsthand the 害羞草研究所榠ncredible things害羞草研究所� it害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 never the wrong time to do the right thing,害羞草研究所� said Falcon. 害羞草研究所淚 want the NDP government to not just provide a stay of execution for two years but to say we害羞草研究所檙e going to keep this going because it害羞草研究所檚 a good thing for the community.害羞草研究所�
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
害羞草研究所淲hat I害羞草研究所檝e heard is just how difficult it害羞草研究所檚 been,害羞草研究所� added Falcon. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e lost staff because of the uncertainty, families and parents have been traumatized, because their kids have been getting exceptional service here.害羞草研究所�
Falcon had this message for the NDP.
害羞草研究所淧lease come and take some time to listen to the parents and the people that work here and understand the great work that they害羞草研究所檝e done for 65 years in this community. Don害羞草研究所檛 shut down what害羞草研究所檚 working.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淲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.害羞草研究所�
Starbright Executive Director, Dr Rhonda Nelson told Capital News that having Falcon visit was affirmation for the board, staff and families.
害羞草研究所淭his was amazing害羞草研究所hat someone in government would come and actually see our facility and see what we do and be able to engage in discussion.害羞草研究所�
Starbright has not heard anything further from MCFD since its contract was extended.
害羞草研究所榃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,害羞草研究所� added Nelson.
READ MORE: Strong feelings for Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Starbright Child Centre delivered to Legislature
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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