9th Annual Treasure Chest of Hope  Dear Community Member, Soroptimist International of North & West Vancouver, a service organization of business and professional women, are once again directing their major fundraising efforts towards providing assistance to a very worthwhile cause in the local community. Over the past eight years, with the generous support of organizations and people like you, Soroptimists on the north shore have raised more than $168,000 for local charities through the annual Treasure Chest of Hope.  This year the funds raised will again benefit the North Shore Youth Safe House.  We recognize the importance of the Youth Safe House for at risk teens in our community. The Treasure Chest of Hope Dinner and Dance for 2009 will be held on Saturday, November 7th at the Hollyburn Country Club in West Vancouver and the members of Soroptimist International of North and West Vancouver invite you to support this event.  You can join us for an evening of fine dining, dancing, raffles, silent and live auctions.  Alternatively, you can show your support by making a donation in either cash or kind, to the raffles and silent/live auctions.  Please help us make the evening an even greater success by pledging your support to a much needed project in our community. Yours sincerely, Soroptimist International of North & West Vancouver www.soroptimistnvwv.org

Government of Canada helping homeless youth in North Vancouver

NORTH VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, April 6, 2009-The Government of Canada is helping youth who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless build a stronger future for themselves. 

Mr. Andrew Saxton, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, announced that Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) funding will be used to invest in emergency and transitional housing through the Hollyburn Family Services Society in North Vancouver.

"Our government is supporting many Canadians with housing needs, and is fulfilling its commitment to help those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty," said Mr. Saxton. "Through this investment, the Hollyburn Family Services Society will be able to put into action support services that will help youth in need."

"The District of North Vancouver is pleased to be partners with the Hollyburn Family Services Society and the Government of Canada in providing critical services for youth in need in the North Shore area," said His Worship Richard Walton, Mayor of North Vancouver.

"We are grateful for the continuing support of the Government of Canada in this project," said Mr. Alan Kwinter, Executive Director, Hollyburn Family Services Society. "This funding will help the Hollyburn Family Services Society provide shelter for the North Shore's most vulnerable youth-those without a safe place to sleep."

2008 Outstanding Supporter of Youth Award

Steve Kirkby was the recipient of the 2008 Outstanding Supporter of Youth Award. Mayor Darrell Mussatto presented the award at a ceremony at North Vancouver City Hall on May 5, 2008. Currently Steve works with Hollyburn Family Services whereby he set up the award winning Hollyburn Hockey Heroes Program for at-risk youth. A number of the youth in this program are from Keith Lynn Secondary and Third Step Program. The school administrators have credited Steve with helping some of their students stay in school, partly because if they quit they would loose the opportunity to be in the program. Every week Steve picks up a dozen students from the school and takes them to Canlan Ice Sports. He teaches the youth self discipline, respect, commitment and teamwork. Steve is a foster parent and a Big Brother. He is also setting up a non-profit society called Camp Kirkby. Through Camp Kirkby he plans to run a year-round camp for at-risk youth.

Thanks for all the great work Steve!

2006 Outstanding Supporter of Youth Award

Paul Butler, Hollyburn Family Services Coordinator of Youth Services was the recipient of the 2006 Outstanding Supporter of Youth Award from the City of North Vancouver. Mayor Darrell Mussatto presented the Award at a ceremony at North Vancouver City Hall on May 1, 2006.

Paul has been instrumental in establishing MCFD's Transitioning Youth to Adulthood program as well as the Hollyburn Hockey Heroes program for at-risk youth on the North Shore. Paul has succeeded in establishing effective collaborative working relationships with the three North Shore municipalities, the North Vancouver School District and corporate community sponsors.

Paul has been a valued Hollyburn employee since 1993. Great work, Paul!

Alan Kwinter
Executive Director

2005 Outstanding Supporter of Youth Award

The 2005 Outstanding Supporter of Youth Award was presented to Third Step Alternate Program by the City of North Vancouver in appreciation and recognition of achievements and contributions to the North Shore Community. See: Spotlight on Success