Community Futures marks 40 years of serving Vernonites

Oct 24, 2024 | 1:54 PM

Community Futures North Okanagan has been serving people in Vernon for nearly half a century.

The organization celebrated it’s 40th anniversary of operating in Vernon this week by reflecting on how it has grown and how it has assisted people in the city and surrounding communities.

“There have been so many of those special moments that we’re proud of—the small things that are actually really big,” Chelan Cotter, a business advisor who has been with CF North Okanagan for 23 years, said.

The organization, when founded locally, was a one-person operation running out of the same building where drivers’ licensed were renewed.

While operating at that location with minimum staff, Michele Hilll visited to get a loan to start her business, Hill Environmental.

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Hill gave back to the organization by volunteering, sitting on the loans committee, and serving nine years on the board, including eight as chair. She left the organization for a short period, but has since rejoined the board.

“The way Community Futures has grown and risen to meet the challenges of this community in a grassroots way is just incredible,” Hill said.

“It’s very much client-driven and that’s a big part of our success: clients and community are first and foremost in every service we offer.”

Community Futures North Okanagan reflected on it’s 40 years in Vernon by reflecting on some highlights, such as moving into the current building on 33rd Street in 1996; launching the Enterprize Challenge in 2015; earning the Employment Program of B.C. Program and merging 10 local programs into a one-stop-shop model in 2019; opening THE VIEW co-work space in 2020; running the Rural and North Immigration Program between 2019 and 2024; and opening Murphy’s Landing, the workforce housing development for medical student, in 2024.

“I think the turning points have always been and continue to be our willingness to take risks, to stretch ourselves and learn new things, to build partnerships and relationships so we can take on the big things,” Kim Lauritsen, who joined Community Futures in 2001 and is now employment services manager, stated.

“And the fact that we have a long-standing management team and amazing staff who are willing to do hard things.”

Community Futures North Okanagan’s Vernon operation has since grown to 45 staff who lead a range of employment, business and economic development initiatives

by Liam Verster

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