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3rd Annual Arts, Health &
Wellness Fair
Feb 2009
It was a busy day at Clearwater
Secondary School February 7th. YCS and SB6, along with dozens of
other local
service and business providers were setting up booths to share information on what they
offer. Many residents, young and old, took advantage of the
opportunity to learn what's available right here in our own backyard,
while enjoying the opportunity win prizes and take in free workshops!
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YCS Annual Open House!

Performers from the 2008 "Whoops
a
Daisy Angel!" |
Dec 2008 We're pleased to invite the community to our annual
Open House. This year we'll be gathering at Jax Cafe to enjoy the
daycare children's performance of "Whoops-a-Daisy Angel", and afterwards
the 'Town Triers' will lead a sing-a-long. Light refreshments will be
available. Come and join us between 3 and 5 pm on Thursday, December
18th at 612 Park Drive - to celebrate the joys of the season! |
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Dec 2008
Sun Peaks Trips Planned for
Youth!
Local youth (Grade 8 - 12) who are interested in
ski/board trips to Sun Peaks should contact Adam Moilliet at
adam.m@yellowheadcs.ca or
(250) 674-2600 for more details. The next trip is scheduled for
Saturday, December 20, 2008. Seats are limited, so register early! |
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Oct 2008
Donation from Canadian Forest Products and Canfor Truckers' Fund!
Once again, we are fortunate to have the local support
of this fund! YCS has recently received not one, but two
donations from
Canadian Forest
Products and Canfor Truckers’ Fund to help us accomplish some more of
our wish list! Thanks to their generous support,
we will be purchasing new furniture for the youth centre. We will also
be able to offer some limited local travel support to those more
disadvantaged in our community. Our community partners - Canadian Forest
Products and Canfor Truckers' Fund - help make things happen!
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July 2008
Farewell to Dan Coleman!
Youth coordinator Dan Coleman has recently retired
from his coordination role at Jax Cafe. Dan's tireless work with youth
was the driving force behind the creation of Jax Cafe, and we hope to be
able to continue his good work with youth. Dan plans to stay connected
with Jax Cafe, and has been passing the torch to Adam Moilliet who is
presently organizing youth activities.
Yellowhead Community Services Board and staff thank
Dan for his years of volunteer service and wish him well in his all his
future endeavors! |
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Mother Goose a Fun Gathering!
Singing nursery rhymes and action songs is a great way to
engage your child and promote that special bond while meeting other
parents in your community at the same time. Check for
Mother Goose programs happening in your
community and come out to join in the fun! |
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September 2007
United Way & Canfor Support
Youth Programs!
CANFOR employees lead local groups in the
2006 United Way fund raising campaign! Our
local Canfor employees supported this fund raising effort throughout the
past year and it's come back to our very own youth programs! YCS Program
Coordinator Lorne Selbee gratefully accepts a BIG cheque for $6000 from
representatives of United Way Thompson Cariboo and CanFor - Vavenby
Division. Funds will be used to support the youth activities throughout
the coming year.
Thank you
for your generous support! |

L-R: CanFor
Employee Campaign Coordinator
Fran Johnson,
United Way Thompson Cariboo Melodie Grabner, CanFor
Human Resources Manager John Gerber,
and YCS Lorne Selbee with BIG cheque! |
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August 2007
Visiting Youth Lend a Hand
at YCS!
Baha'i Youth
attending a family summer school decided they would like to perform a
service for the local community. They chose to help out at YCS by doing
a thorough clean-up in the Community Garden, and staining the daycare
playground fence in an afternoon of hard work. Thanks to all for a job
well done!
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June 2007
Director Helen Knight Steps Down
After five years of service as a Director of YCS, Helen
Knight announced her decision to step down as of the Annual General
Meeting held this June 21st, where she was recognized for her many
contributions. Helen has supported the Society through her volunteer
work as a director, and through her generous donations of time,
resources, energy and original art works that adorn the walls of our new
facility on Park Drive. Helen stated she was pleased to be a part of the
team effort of growth the YCS has undergone over the last five years,
and will continue to stay connected with the Society through ongoing
projects and events. THANK YOU HELEN! |
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June 2007
Work Bee at Clearwater Community
Garden!
Volunteers came to give of
their time and muscles to get the new Community Garden at YCS up and
going. Coordinator Cheryl Thomas reports that generosity of time
and donations of seeds, plants and flowers has been overwhelming!
Already the local daycare children and Challengers group have become
actively involved in the project.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR
VOLUNTEERS!
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Before, and then, with a little loving care...

After! |
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June 2007
Tourists visit
Barriere Farmers Market!
Every Thursday morning from 8:30 to 12:30 the Barriere
Farmers Market offers its variety of fresh locally grown produce and
crafts. Located right across from Gilbert Smith Forest Products on
Yellowhead Hwy #5 the market is easily accessible to locals and tourists
alike!
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June
2007
Rec Site Crew Get New Uniforms!
The recreation site crew members were grateful to
receive new shirts and hats to identify them as the official Forestry
Recreation Site Maintenance workers, as well as a magnetic sign for
their work vehicle. This program is a partnering of the Job Skills
Program, funded by Community Living BC, FIA support through Canadian
Forest Products Ltd. - Vavenby Division and donations received from the
public. The crew have been working diligently, keeping recreation sites
ready to be enjoyed by campers and tourists alike!
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Supervisor Madelaine
Hegenbarth poses with crew workers Daniel Gill and Gillian Tomyn in new
shirts and hats after a hard day's work! |
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September 2006
Health
Connections Bus Service Launched!
September 22, 2006 also marked the
official launch of HEALTH CONNECTIONS - a new weekly transit service
running from Blue River to Kamloops. This service is as a result of a
partnership between Interior Health, BC Transit and the TNRD. YCS were
very pleased to have Linda Basran, Interior
Health Community Administrator for the
Thompson, speak to those present about this
great new service that provides a much needed low cost link to medical
services in Kamloops for Valley residents. Although preference is given
to riders attending medical appointments, she reminded us that everyone
can use this service by simply booking their seat in advance (click
Health Connections for
more info).
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Linda Basran serves cake to
Senior Bus Driver James Vandenborre (above)
Linda Basran
announces new Health Connections service (below left); Transit Bus for
Health Connections (below right)
 
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Interior
Savings Support Success By 6!
Lorene Easson, Branch Manager of Interior Savings
Clearwater was on hand to offer her congratulations
at the Grand Opening, and brought with her a donation
for the Success By 6 Clearwater initiative the local branch had raised
at a recent hot dog sale. Heather Adamson (nee Hoole), Early Childhood
Program Coordinator for YCS, gratefully accepted the funds and
encouraged all present to invest in this community initiative that is
building necessary community supports and services for children 0-6,
preparing them to learn and be successful when they enter school.
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September 22,
2006
A Great Day
for a Grand Opening!
Beautiful fall
weather provided a perfect backdrop to a day
of celebration at Yellowhead Community Services. September 22nd
brought many people from near and far;
invited dignitaries,
community service providers, members, current and past employees,
neighbours and volunteers attended the
official grand opening ceremony of the
Neighbourhood House. Minister of State for Early
Childhood Development Linda Reid, joined by local MLA Kevin Krueger and
Brenda Aynsley, Executive Director of United Way, arrived that morning
to tour the new facility and meet staff working in the programs
and services. They honoured the work of
YCS and community members with their
expressions of pride, good wishes and their
congratulations on a job well done.
This building was
the vision of YCS Executive Director Jack Keough, with the
support of the Board of Directors, in response to the
pressing needs of the Society to have an appropriate
place to operate the increasing number of
services and programs we offer. The building
project has been in the works since 2002 when we began the work
to gain the support needed to bring it into reality.
Generous grants, donations, fund raising and volunteer efforts by many
groups and individuals succeeded in the development of this beautiful
new hub of community programs and services. A plaque naming those
involved with the building project was unveiled by Directors Helen
Knight and Judy Schurack, and can be viewed in the entrance way of the
Neighbourhood House.
Linda Basran, one of the original
Board of Directors that organized and incorporated the Wells Grey
Community Resources Society in 1989, was present to launch the new
Health Connections bus service to Kamloops, and we were especially glad
she was able to join in the celebrations of the day.
Rev. Lloyd
Strickland, who serves as a volunteer Director of the Board for YCS,
blessed the new facility with a dedication well suited to the purposes
of this new community. Cake and refreshments were enjoyed by all, and
the staff had a good time giving tours.
YCS Board and
staff thank everyone who has supported this project, and those who came
to share in the celebrations of the day. We look forward to the new
opportunities this facility will provide for the community and those we
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Minister of State for Early
Childhood Development Linda Reid and MLA Kevin Krueger join YCS Board
Chair Judy Schurack, Executive Director Jack Keough and friends in
cutting ribbon at the Grand Opening of the Neighbourhood House

Minister of State Linda
Reid gives us her stamp of approval!

MLA Kevin Krueger recounts
the journey and gives his congratulations
Click here for more picture
highlights of our Grand
Opening!
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Coffee anyone?

Youth line up for BBQ
delights!

Outdoor concert enjoyed by
all |
JAX CAFÉ - WHERE THE ACTION IS!
September 16th was the Fall
kick off for Jax Café with fun activities and games, lots of food and a
musical performance by a band from Vancouver to boot! Over 100
youth came out to enjoy the afternoon and evening events, bringing with
them their high energy and healthy appetites!
Youth coordinator Dan Coleman
has been actively working with a multi-aged youth group to design a safe
and fun environment for high-school aged youth to enjoy. The youth
group, with the help of adult volunteers, have arranged a variety of
games and activities for Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as
manning the drop-in centre for a few after school hours.
The Youth Centre activities
are advertised at the high school and on the YCS notice board; or you
can contact Dan Coleman at 674-2600 for more information or to volunteer
some time.

Giant earth ball game
starts the fun!
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July 2006
REAL ESTATE
FOUNDATION GRANT AT WORK!
Great changes have been taking place
at the Neighbourhood House over the last few months as the landscaping
projects got underway. Firstly, you are sure to notice the drive in is a
much smoother experience! We were all happy to kiss the spring thaw
goodbye and say farewell to the mud puddles! And despite a late
spring start, the hard work of our crew and generous donations from our
volunteers have all been pushing hard to make up for lost time.
The Real Estate Foundation of BC
generously provided funding for the outdoor developments through a grant
received in 2005 that we are now putting to full use. Geoff Ellen, local
agrologist, worked to develop the outdoor plan, and is assisting us in
making it a reality. Our official Grand Opening has been postponed
until fall when we can show off a little more of the finished product!
The lower garden/patio area has been
the focus of energies recently. Just below the site for the community
garden, its terraced landscape will provide a comfortable outdoor area
where youth, community and program based events will be held. The
grounds projects have proven to be yet another means to bring together
community groups and services through this facility. We look forward to
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Driveways, patios,
gardens and paths...it's all becoming a reality with a little help from
big machines and lots of big hearts!
The beautiful iris above
are a donation from the gardens of local pioneer Bob Miller
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MAY 2006
Second Annual Health & Happiness Fair was fun for all!
The 2nd Annual Health & Happiness Fair was the place
to be on May 26th! Free Food, prizes, local musicians and a
special performance by the primary students of Raft River Elementary
kicked off the afternoon of fun. Many booths were staffed and
available at the fair as an opportunity to further inform parents of
supports and services, and explore the many opportunities for children
0-6 in the valley.
The day was well attended by parents and children, and
we give a big thank you to all those volunteers and businesses that
helped with their support of this Success By 6 initiative. |
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Health & Happiness Fair
2006(Click on pictures to enlarge)
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March 2006
ORIGINAL ARTWORKS
NOW GRACE OUR WALLS!
Local artist Helen Knight had the staff at Yellowhead
Community Services (YCS) dumbfounded with her generosity. Having told
staff that they could come and pick a painting for the building as a
gift, when they arrived at her home she offered them as many as they
would like! And it doesn't stop there. She not only gifted a dozen of
her original works, she insisted that she get them framed and ready to
hang on the walls of the Neighbourhood House. Her works have garnered
many compliments from our visitors and staff alike.
Helen is a great supporter of YCS and also serves as a
volunteer director of the Board. THANK YOU HELEN! |

Executive Director Jack
Keough receives gift of paintings from Helen Knight
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July 2005
$30,000
GRANTED BY THE REAL ESTATE FOUNDATION OF BC! |

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The Real Estate
Foundation of BC has made a generous donation of $30,000 for the
outdoors and landscaping components of the Neighbourhood House. Tim
Pringle, Executive Director of the Real Estate Foundation, was in
Clearwater this spring to assess the needs and hear more about the
project and land use plans, taking what he learned back to his Board for
their review and approval.
The Real Estate Foundation of BC's mission is "To support sustainable
real estate and land use practices for the benefit of British
Columbians". We are thrilled to
report the Board were in full support of our plans,
and we recently received funds for implementation of the project.
Yellowhead
Community Services (YCS)
hired a local consultant for the project design. The
outdoor projects include natural gardens, paths, improved trail access
and a community garden. Use of indigenous plants integrated with value
crops is one way we will make use of the land – addressing both the
beautification of the facility grounds as well as enhancing programs
through added activities for youth and life skills programs on an
ongoing basis.
YCS is excited to
be on our way to creating a beautiful
community centre, and ask you to join us in thanking The Real Estate
Foundation for partnering with us to make it a reality!
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May 5, 2005
Interior
Savings Support Neighbourhood House! |
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Community members, service providers and neighbours
joined YCS Board members and staff to thank Interior Savings
representatives for becoming partners in the Neighbourhood House
project. Interior Savings Community Development
Fund, established to assist communities adversely impacted by the 2003
wildfires, have generously provided $50,000 to assist in the
construction of the new facility, which is well underway, and expected
to be completed in September.
"The Neighbourhood House will act as a resource centre
for the entire community," said Jack Keough, Executive Director of YCS.
"The generous support from Interior Savings will allow us to offer a
full range of community support programs and services."
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Interior Savings present
$50,000 to YCS!
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Windows in the Neighbourhood House!
Click photos for larger view. |
MARCH 20, 2005
ALL WINDOWS DO
NATED!
YCS was thrilled to recently accept a generous donation for the
Neighbourhood House from Ryan and Eva Myhre of
Intricate Glass Inc. The Myhre's, both
former Clearwater residents who now reside in Kamloops with their three children, made the donation of all windows
for the new facility. Ryan took time away from larger projects in Vancouver
and Calgary to join his Clearwater crew this month, and had all the
windows installed within one afternoon.
This donation, extremely valuable in itself, was also an essential piece in
demonstrating local support for this project, and enabled YCS to put forward
strong proposals for the funding needed to make the Neighbourhood House a
reality.
We
are very grateful for the fact that Clearwater raised two such community-minded
people that,
as soon as
they heard of the plans for the Neighbourhood House, offered to
assist
their home town in this way. Our warmest thanks to the Myhre's and crew
for their hard work and generous support!
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DECEMBER 2004: $50,000 GRANT RECEIVED FROM
VANCOUVER FOUNDATION!
The Vancouver Foundation, well known for its support of
community development projects throughout BC, has once again partnered
with YCS's latest community capacity building initiative.
Vancouver Foundation's generous financial support of a $50,000 grant
will greatly assist with construction of the 6,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose
Neighbourhood House facility at 612 Park Drive, Clearwater BC.
The facility will house the many programs and services
to individuals and families that YCS offers throughout the North
Thompson Valley. These include counselling for Addictions, Mental
Health, Stopping the Violence and Sexual Abuse Intervention, life and
job skills programs for adults with developmental delays, workshops,
group activities, family support programs, youth programs, early
childhood development programs, and transit services. New
initiatives, such as a community garden, after school care and daycare,
toy lending library and walking trail (to name a few) are also planned.
The Vancouver Foundation is certainly no stranger to
YCS. They also played a leading role locally in June 2003, helping make
the 1st Annual Rural Communities Summit a reality in Clearwater.
Vancouver Foundation also offers its knowledge and support to assist
communities to develop their own Foundations in order to foster on-going
financial support of local needs. YCS started this process with the help
of the Vancouver Foundation, and began the fund raising at the Rural
Communities Summit. A committee was struck which continues to work
towards this goal.
A huge THANK YOU goes out to the Vancouver Foundation
for its tremendous support of all these community projects!
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HRSDC participants at work


Supervisor on site for clearing |
HRSDC Job Creation
Project
A GREAT Success!
"Human Resources Skills
Development Canada (HRSDC) and Clearwater Employment Services have
partnered with us to create an opportunity for four local people to gain
valuable skills and knowledge during the construction of the
Neighbourhood House" says Jack Keough, Executive Director of YCS. "Our
hope is that the participants in this project will walk away with the
necessary skills and experience they need to be hired into this field of
work." Participants have been on the job since the site was cleared and
are expected to stay with the project until mid April. With HRSDC's
support, they'll get the job done!

The Government of Canada has contributed
funding to this project
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