YORKTON — BGC Yorkton received some grant funding news which has the local organization reeling.
After receiving funding through the federal Canada Summer Jobs Program in 2024, they have been informed they will receive no dollars this year, explained Lorraine Oranchuk, CEO of BGC Yorkton.
Last year we had seven full-time positions that were supported – this year we’re down to zero,” she said.
Oranchuk said the loss in funding without forewarning has put the organization is a difficult position, with youth already registered for summer programming, and parents expecting their children have a place to be in the summer, and now funding support for those running programs gone.
“It’s going to be difficult,” she said, adding they have gone through their programming plans to see where they might trim costs, but when the job program funding cuts are added to other grant cuts they are facing a $100,000 shortfall.
“Our annual budget is just over half a million,” said Oranchuk, adding the government grant losses are roughly 20 per cent of that, all of the cuts coming without lead time to adjust.
While Oranchuk said the BGC is hit hard, the other side of the situation is seven summer positions could be lost which gave those under age 30 work to help fund further education etc.
The situation has left the local BGC scrambling to find a way to maintain programming Oranchuk said they see as critical to provide.
“We’re not going to leave these families behind,” she said, adding demand for the summer program in huge.
This year people were lined up two hours ahead of registration opening, and the 50 spots “were filled in 11 minutes.” After adding 19 to a wait list, Oranchuk said they quit taking names because “we didn’t want to give false hope.”
So this summer staff will be hired, and the program will be maintained, as the organization works on finding dollars.
Oranchuk said they have already approached local MP Cathay Wagantall hoping she can help get at least some of the funding reinstated, noting a sister organization in Alberta received positive results working with their Conservative MP – BGC organizations across the country saw funding cuts.
The local group is also lobbying the federal program.
“We’re not going away,” said Oranchuk.
But if the grant is not reinstated alternate sources have to be found, or the decision to support expectant families with programming this summer will impact what they do in the fall and beyond, admitted Oranchuk.
As a result BGC Yorkton has gone public with a plea for help.
“We are asking for the community to get behind us and help make up for this loss,” detailed a social media post Thursday. “. . . We have been in the community for over 30 years, and in that time we have seen countless children, youth, and staff join our BGC Club family. Chances are, everyone knows someone who has attended the Club, or worked here, volunteered here or maybe even attended themselves! We need your help now more than ever!”
Oranchuk said any donation large or small is welcome as they try to deal with the financial shortfall, and still provide programming, adding not offering summer spots is simply not an option.
“We can’t do that to families. Our hands are tied, so we’ve got to figure it out,” she said.
