Youth outreach society trying to raise cash to stay open
Posted October 19, 2012 7:09 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
COQUITLAM (NEWS1130) – An outreach society helping kids in the Tri-Cities needs an injection of cash to stay open. A fundraiser for PoCoMo Youth Services is being held tonight in Coquitlam.
The group points to the high-profile case of Amanda Todd, who took her own life last week. In an online video, she talked about how she was bullied and someone
“For every Amanda Todd, there’s another 10 young people that are struggling,” explains Executive Director Jerome Bouvier.
He says her case highlights how many of today’s kids find themselves alone and with fewer places to turn to.
The society is best known for its outreach bus, which can be seen roaming the streets of the Tri-Cities most weekends. “We average about… 30 to 40 kids a night. We’ve made over an average 3,000 to 4,000 contacts a year.”
“Kids are able to come on and talk to youth workers, get some drug information, sexual health information… maybe even as simple as some clothes and something to eat,” says Bouvier.
“We’re trying to get an injection of close to… $30,000 or $40,000. But at the end of the day, we still need that ongoing… money,” he adds.
Tonight’s fundraiser is being held at the Red Robinson Show Theatre.
