Delta’s farming community has stepped up in a big way to support children and youth with special needs.
On June 18, the Delta Agricultural Society donated $250,000 to Reach Child and Youth Development Society’s Building for Children Together capital campaign.
The campaign goal is to raise $4 million to build a new child development centre in Ladner for Reach to provide more accessible, community-based programs and services to children and youth with special needs throughout Delta, Surrey and Langley .
“We are thrilled, and very grateful for this generous donation from the Delta Agricultural Society,” said Renie D’Aquila, executive director of Reach.
“This is more than the cultivation of land, but the cultivation of community. This new building project will make such a big difference in the lives of vulnerable children and youth and it wouldn’t happen without leaders like the Delta Agricultural Society demonstrating their support.”
“The Agricultural Society has donated to many worthwhile projects, and I can’t think of one that’s more worthwhile than this one,” said Delta Agricultural Society’s Peter Guichon. “We are very proud to help kick of this campaign. Very proud.”
The Delta Agricultural Society has had a long history in Delta and is active in giving to local projects and community groups. Past donation recipients have included the Delta Hospital, McKee House, Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust, Delta Museum and Archives and the Delta Hospice capital project.
The new centre will be located at 5050 47 Ave. in Ladner, currently the Kin House.
It will have a designated area for Reach programs and services including therapy rooms, counseling rooms, specialized lending library, space for youth programs and an inclusive preschool with an outdoor accessible playground.
The building will also provide a meeting space for the Kinsmen Club of Ladner Tsawwassen and an expanded events room for Reach workshops, or for use by other community groups, municipal programs or local businesses.
The new Reach centre project is a partnership between the Corporation of Delta, Reach Child and Youth Development Society and the Ladner Tsawwassen Kinsmen Club.
The Corporation of Delta has provided the land, which is valued at in excess of $1 million. Reach, along with their partners the Kinsmen Club, will raise the funds to build the new centre.
Reach is welcoming donations from community and service groups, corporations, businesses, foundations and individuals to the Building for Children Together campaign to build the new centre, and is planning a fundraising gala in February of 2013.
For more information, to meet with campaign representatives or to make a donation, call 604-946-6622, Ext. 372 or visit the campaign website at www.reachdevelopment.org/campaign