A refuge for young West Vancouver families is facing a $30,000 shortfall, councillors learned Monday.
Hollyburn Family Services operates West Van Family Place, a drop-in program for parents with young children. The centre provides a safe place for kids to play together and offers parents advice and support. The program receives a mix of funds from the province, municipal grants from all three North Shore municipalities, and drop-in fees.
But for the past few years, operating costs have exceeded revenues, said Hollyburn's executive director Alan Kwinter in a presentation to West Vancouver council.
Coun. Bill Soprovich asked why the $3 drop-in fee parents pay every time they visit the program couldn't be raised.
"These families, they don't arrive in Rolls Royces," said Paul Tutsch, vice-president of Hollyburn's board of directors.
Linda McGinn, co-ordinator of West Van Family Place, said most family place programs throughout the Lower Mainland do not charge a drop-in fee at all. "There are a number of families who comment that even $3 is too much for them," said McGinn.
The program is much more than a place where kids and parents can go on rainy days. Program staff identify children with developmental delays, and refer them "quickly and easily" to appropriate services, said McGinn. Workers also build trust with families, to the point where some parents have confided they are in an abusive relationship.
"Services like this are vital," said Coun. Craig Cameron. "It's certainly something this affluent community should be able to afford."
District staff will be working with West Van Family Place to find solutions to the funding shortfall.
