Open letter to Yukon MP Ryan Leef:
The Boys and Girls Club of Whitehorse would like to implore you to please reconsider your decision to support funding cuts to Katimavik.
The Katimavik program has long supported youth across Canada and has made an incredible difference in the lives of countless youth in the Yukon.
The program has provided the Boys and Girls Club of Whitehorse with a steady volunteer base that has helped keep our programming afloat and allowed us to weather hard times. It has also, on three separate occasions, provided volunteers of such exceptional quality that the club has hired them on as staff after the program has finished.
The volunteers who have worked with us have helped us design programs, letting us know what was happening across Canada and aiding us in hitting trends before, or as, they arrive in the Yukon.
They have come out in force time and again to help us at our fundraisers and community events, allowing us to raise money or put on larger events than we would otherwise be able. One example is this year’s Kids Fest at Frostbite, where Katimavik played an integral role.
Over the years, we have seen many volunteers connect with our youth and maintain friendships that still exist to this day - friendships that have helped our youth make good choices and continue to strive towards healthy, positive lifestyles.
In my experience, Katimavik volunteers tend to stay involved in the community long after their program has ended. They continue to volunteer and remain eager and active members of society.
I can think of very few youth programs that can boast the successes that this program has had.
This program is good for the Yukon. It helps countless not-for-profit organizations time and again. It provides direction and purpose, not only for the youth who participate but the youth with whom they engage, as well.
Please help save this program and continue to support Yukon youth.
Dave Blottner
Boys and Girls Club of Whitehorse