It91裸聊视频檚 the 14-year-old in 4-H who gets a loan to buy a calf that pays for college. It91裸聊视频檚 the single mom survivor of violence who feels broken and alone on her first day of Bridges and completes the program feeling capable of building a healthy life for her kids.
It91裸聊视频檚 the young Philipino father who came to Vernon through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP program and went on to open a handyman business that took second place in the Enterprize Challenge and earned the caretaker91裸聊视频檚 contract for Murphy91裸聊视频檚 Landing, the new housing development for medical students.
These are the moments, the lives, the ripples of positivity that staff at Community Futures North Okanagan are reflecting on as they celebrate 40 years of making an impact in Vernon.
91裸聊视频淭here have been so many of those special moments that we91裸聊视频檙e proud of 91裸聊视频� the small things that are actually really big,91裸聊视频� says Chelan Cotter, a business advisor who has been with CF North Okanagan for 23 years.
The organization was once a one-person, one-room presence in the same building where drivers91裸聊视频� licenses are renewed. That91裸聊视频檚 how Michele Hill first found Community Futures 30 years ago, when she needed a loan to start her business, Hill Environmental. To give back to the organization, Hill began volunteering on the loans committee in 2006 and later served on the board for nine years, eight as chair. After a recent break, Hill has just rejoined the board.
91裸聊视频淭he way Community Futures has grown and risen to meet the challenges of this community in a grassroots way is just incredible,91裸聊视频� says Hill. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 very much client-driven and that91裸聊视频檚 a big part of our success: clients and community are first and foremost in every service we offer.91裸聊视频�
Today, a team of 45 staff lead a range of employment, business and economic development initiatives that continuously adapt and improve to meet market needs. It91裸聊视频檚 the largest Community Futures in Canada and is looked upon as a leader in the sector.
Community Futures Highlights:
91裸聊视频� 1996, moved into current building on 33rd Street;
91裸聊视频� 2019, earned the Employment Program of BC contract, merging 10 local employment programs into a one-stop shop model;
91裸聊视频� 2020, opened THE VIEW co-work space downtown;
91裸聊视频� 2019-2024, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) opens to address labour shortages;
91裸聊视频� 2015, started the Enterprize Challenge;
91裸聊视频� 2024, opened Murphy91裸聊视频檚 Landing, workforce housing developing for medical students.
91裸聊视频淚 think the turning points have always been and continue to be our willingness to take risks, to stretch ourselves and learn new things, to build partnerships and relationships so we can take on the big things,91裸聊视频� says Kim Lauritsen, who joined Community Futures in 2001 and is now employment services manager. 91裸聊视频淎nd the fact that we have a long-standing management team and amazing staff who are willing to do hard things.91裸聊视频�
Indeed, ask any long-time staff what makes the organization special, and, after a nod to courageous clients, they91裸聊视频檒l say: It91裸聊视频檚 the team.
Cotter tells of a team member with a mobility challenge whose house was flooded and needed help moving; 10 coworkers showed up on a Saturday to help move. And then there was that snowstorm when Vernon came to a grinding halt with snow too deep for cars to get around.
91裸聊视频淭here were still five of us here. We walked to work,91裸聊视频� says Cotter. 91裸聊视频淲e knew we would have clients out waiting on the street, and we couldn91裸聊视频檛 have that.91裸聊视频�
On Oct. 23, those who have been a part of the Community Futures community have been invited to an open house celebration. Lauritsen says it will be a special day to mark milestones and thank everyone who contributed along the way.
91裸聊视频淲e are immensely grateful to the community partners, funders, clients and team members who have made all of our successes possible and so worthwhile.91裸聊视频�
