One year ago today, the Once in a Blue Moon™ Event brought the community together for a remarkable evening of collective impact at the stunning O’Rourke Family Estate. It was a night defined by generosity, compassion, and a shared commitment to protect and care for vulnerable children and youth in the Central Okanagan.

That generosity has been truly life-changing. In the 365 days since the event, 364 child survivors of abuse and neglect—alongside their siblings and safe caregivers—have walked through the doors of the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre, seeking safety and support. Because of the support from the community, these children have not had to navigate systems alone or guess what comes next.

With that support, everything they need is right here. With a dedicated Child & Family Advocate by their side every step of the way, each child is receiving the personalized, coordinated care needed to move forward on the path to healing.

This care takes many forms depending on the unique needs of each child. Thanks to the generosity of donors and event attendees, that support now includes access to new therapeutic spaces; immediate, evidence-based mental health services; and enhanced, trauma-informed medical care on-site.

For the children and families served by the CYAC, these are life-changing—and in many cases, life-saving—supports.

The CYAC is deeply grateful for the meaningful difference made possible through the community’s compassion and commitment. A short message of gratitude and impact can be viewed in the video below.

It truly takes a village to do this work. Thank you to everyone who continues to stand up for kids and stand with the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre of Kelowna.

Sincerely,

Ginny Becker, Executive Director