NOYFSS opens Cedar House, a new emergency placement resource in Vernon

NOYFSS executive director Dean Francks thanked their board of directors for taking a “leap of faith” two years ago when they talked about acquiring the property, and for their partners at the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) for “making it a reality.”

“We’re super excited to open the doors. We’ve been open for a couple weeks now. We’ve had three young people come through and utilize the resources and all with positive outcomes so far so that’s awesome,” Francks told several dozen people on hand for the ribbon cutting.

The actual address of the house is not being used in this article at the request of the society for privacy reasons.

Cedar House, a two bedroom emergency placement resource for children and youth in Vernon. (Vernon Matters photo)

Francks said thanks to donors, items are being provided that make the house “more of a home.”

That includes landscaping, with a fence to be put up, and there will be a play area.

“It’s a very home-like feel for these young people to come through the resource and hopefully, in our minds, have a good experience and good outcomes,” Francks remarked.

This is the third resource that NOYFSS will be opening on their specialized homes support services site. The others are Mara House which provides short term stabilization and Sage House, which offers respite care.

Danny Bernier with the Ministry of Children and Family Development said NOYFSS is an “extremely valuable partner” for the ministry.

“There is no doubt we could not do the work we are doing without partners such as NOYFSS,” Bernier said.

Francks said the house is funded by MCFD, and the young people that will use it come from referrals from the ministry.

“And we have screening meetings and look at the young people who need access to the resource and prioritize it on the needs of the young people,” he explained.

Cedar House has two beds, with three at Sage House and another three at Mara House.

“It’s very much in demand [the facility],” Francks told Vernon Matters. “We’re experiencing a great shortness for foster homes these days, unfortunately. So with that, the complexities of young people today are such that present us with a lot of need for housing for young people.”

Kelly Fehr, Vernon city councillor and acting mayor, thanked NOYFSS for its dedication to the community.

“It has been said that the strength of a community can be seen in how it takes care of its most vulnerable citizens. Today is a day where our community shines its brightest,” Fehr told the ceremony.

On a personal note, Fehr said his wife worked for NOYFSS, and he lives five blocks away from Cedar House.

“So I’m very familiar with this property and so proud to have you as neighbours. It’s amazing you have this campus of care for youth.”

NOYFSS was established in 1974 and is in its 50th year of operation.

Renovations made to Cedar House in preparation for opening were funded by a number of donors including:

• Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)

• CN Rail Community Fund

• Galbraith Family Fund

• Foord Family Foundation

• District of Coldstream grant

• Home Depot Foundation Orange Door Project Campaign

• Stand Up for NOYFSS Fundraiser

• Byram Family Foundation

• Kal Rotary (Dream Auction)

by Pete McIntyre

NOYFSS opens Cedar House, a new emergency placement resource in Vernon

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