We bring you a story this week that is at once inspiring and maddening. Akayla Burley has gone from a youth on the brink to a skilled and conscientious young woman ready to help others in need.
It was getting admitted to the North Shore Youth Safe House run by the Hollyburn Family Services Society that she credits as her turning point.
Each year, the house saves upwards of 150 local kids from hunger, cold and abuse or even just a strained family relationship, and gets them on a path to a better life.
But the safe house itself was on the brink when federal funding dried up in 2016. It’s only by virtue of generous donations that its critical services are still offered today.
We have a hard time explaining why youth on the North Shore find themselves dependent upon aid dollars from Lichtenstein while our own federal government contributes nothing. Neither does the province.
This time of year, we’ll generously chalk the funding shortfall up to an oversight by government rather than malice. But both the Justin Trudeau and John Horgan governments came to power on promises of a return to compassion and support for those in need. Though Christmas may be past, it’s not too late for us to have an Ebenezer Scrooge-like conversion. The kids who seek refuge at the safe house are ours, collectively, and it’s on us to care for them.
In the meantime we’ll toast the volunteers, staff and donors who’ve ensured the safe house continues its necessary work.
You done good.
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