Mission Applies For Summer Jobs Grant

Vernon’s Upper Room Mission has applied for summer job funding from the federal government, but has an issue with a new part of the application.

The government requires organizations to attest to their respect for sexual and reproductive rights — including the right to an abortion.

Mission co-executive director Lisa Anderson says they agreed to that, but not without concerns.

‘It was a big debate. In the end I did apply. I contacted Kelowna Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army and our pastor, just to get a sense of what other people were feeling, and if other faith-based organizations were applying, and they were,” says Anderson.