North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society's office in Vernon (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

NOYFSS

Local youth and family agency honoured with provincial award

Nov 3, 2023 | 1:15 PM

A Vernon-based child and family counselling agency has been recognized for its work.

The North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society (NOYFSS) was one of five recipients of the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards.

NOYFSS and the other recipients were recognized for their work supporting crime prevention, community safety initiatives, addressing gender-based violence, advocacy and restorative justice when the 26th edition of the annual awards were handed out Friday, Nov. 3.

“The people receiving awards today exemplify our collective power to effect positive change in the lives of those impacted by crime and violence,” Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, said.

“I congratulate each award recipient on their unwavering dedication and commitment to support and empower victims and survivors. My heartfelt thanks for everything they do to keep communities in B.C. safe.”

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The other recipients of the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards were Angela Marie MacDougall of Battered Women’s Support Services in Vancouver; Evelen Zellerer of Peace of the Circle in Vancouver; Gary Thandi of Moving Forward Family Services in Surrey; and Debbie Klaric of the North Island Crisis and Counselling Centre Society in Port Hardy.

“These award recipients work as our partners in crime prevention, victim services and community safety, making a difference in the lives of British Columbians every single day,” Kelli Paddon, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, said.

“I am so grateful for the work they do. It is their compassion, leadership and advocacy for victims and survivors across this province that lends a voice to those who need it most.”

NOYFSS, which has been operating in the North Okanagan for over 40 years, offers programs such as youth agreements, youth at risk, parent-teen conflict, and youth justice. It also provides supports like crisis intervention, weekend and evening counselling, job interview preparation, and post-secondary transition.

by Liam Verster

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