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New facility getting within Reach thanks to support

Port Metro Vancouver donation helps push campaign over $1 million mark
reach
A recent tour of Reach Child and Youth Development Society’s current facility in East Ladner included a stop in the snack room

Reach Child and Youth Development Society showed its appreciation last week to Port Metro Vancouver for its generous donation to a campaign to build a child development centre in the heart of Ladner.

Representatives from the port, including CEO and president Robin Silvester, joined Reach members and others, including Delta councillors Bruce McDonald and Sylvia Bishop, for a cheque presentation and tour of the society's 72nd Street facility in East Ladner. The event was to also highlight Community Living Month.

This summer, Port Metro Vancouver and port industry leaders joined forces to host the 14th annual Port Gala Fundraising Event to help raise awareness and funds for important community organizations. The event raised $180,000 and Reach was one of three groups to get $60,000 from the gala, which has raised more than $1.3 million since it began. The port's contribution to Reach is the first of a three-year commitment.

Noting it is a huge generator of jobs, Silvester said the port is also intent on being a good neighbour that is part of the community.

"We see it as very important to not just be a neighbour, but try and be a good neighbour. For Port Metro Vancouver, we have community investment programs which are up to one per cent of our net income that are focused on community enrichment, environmental sustainability and education. Of course, we (also) have our annual gala," said Silvetser.

He acknowledged contributions by others, including Terminal Systems Inc., Westshore Terminals and Fraser Surrey Docks.

Having now reached the $1 million mark as it aims for its $4 million goal, Reach wants to build a modern, 20,000-squarefoot facility at the current Kin House location on 47th Avenue at Memorial Park. Delta will provide the land.

The old building will be torn down and the Kinsmen Club will use space in the new building, which will the also give Reach a much larger place to provide programs for youths with special needs.

Some of the services it now offers include occupational, speech and language therapy, communication enhancement skills as well as programs to help those with social or emotional developmental challenges, including autism.

Parent and caregiver education is emphasized to enable them to support kids at home and in the community.

Having set up a thrift store to help in the fundraising goal, the society also operates two pre-schools.

It current centre, formerly a residence for mentally challenged youths, is clearly in a less than ideal location, cramped, antiquated and prone to flooding.

The non-profit group, which has been providing services since 1959, serves around 900 youths annually, saying children with special needs are at risk of being left behind without early support.

After having read a letter from Mayor Lois Jackson, McDonald agreed Reach plays an important role in the community.

"I think we have to get through to people the understanding that we either invest money early on in this game or we will spend a lot more money later on if we don't reach these kids. When they are young and we can do things, set them on a course for a productive and reasonable life. Otherwise, they will become difficult as adults," he said.

McDonald added the goal of the new facility is for all the community to use, integrating Reach and the kids it serves within the community.

He also said the port is "becoming more and more part of the community."

The goal is to have the centre completed and operational by April 2017. For more information about the society and the fundraising campaign, visit www.reachdevelopment.org/campaign.