Columbia Basin Trust is forming of a Basin Youth Network so communities can increase local activities and opportunities for young people, helping them learn new skills and leadership.
In a statement, the Trust said it has set aside $4.65 million over the next three years for this new network. It will build on and incorporate its existing and successful Community Directed Youth Funds program.
“We’ve been offering youth-related programs for over 15 years. Building upon these past successes, we’re excited to be strengthening community efforts to increase support to youth,” Lisa Kilpatrick, CBT’s senior manager for the delivery of benefits, said in a statement. “We know youth need a range of local opportunities and resources to be happy and engaged in their communities, and we’re committed to working with communities to achieve this.”
Revelstoke’s Stoke Youth Network was an example of what can be accomplished and its Youth Liaison, Megan Shandro, said she was excited by the new program’s possibilities.
“We are really excited about the new structure,” she said in the statement. “It aligns with what we are already doing; it allows us to identify local priorities and act on them. We were one of the first communities to access the Trust’s community-directed youth funds, and we’ve seen tremendous benefits with bringing together community stakeholders and increased collaboration. I know that others joining the network will see success because of this approach too.”
For information about the Trust’s other programs for youth, please visit cbt.org/youth.
