The local youth action network is aiming to raise $15,000 in the next 15 days.
The Rossland Youth Action Network (YAN) has between Thursday and Nov. 23 to raise $7,500 from the community so that the amount can be matched.
“We had a local business approach us a few weeks ago saying they wanted to make a significant donation and then from the conversation with them, they actually put out this idea of we should talk to other businesses and create a matching donation campaign,” explains Mike Kent, coordinator of YAN. “So we did talk to a lot of local Rossland businesses and were able to get a promised $7,500.”
The businesses, organizations, and individuals who have stepped up to make major contributions are Crossline Films, Dr. Cindy Loukras, the Alpine Grind, Jeff Weaver, Revolution Cycle, the Rossland Youth Service Group, Jim Firstbrook, Mountain Town Properties, Sarah and Scot Mountain, Engen Services, and Ripple Effect Consulting.
The Rossland Youth Service Group, which is part of YAN, is donating proceeds from last year’s holiday wreath sales.
Contributions to the “15 in 15” You Can Make the Difference Campaign will go towards the completion of the new YAN Space across from Rossland Summit School and adjacent to the Rossland Skatepark.
“We’re running short of funds to finish the project, so we are doing this fundraiser to get more money to close it up and get the doors open,” says Kent.
Power is now on in the space, all of the framing work is done and insulation has been installed in the south bay (this part of the project does not include finishing the north bay). Kent says drywalling will start in the next week or so.
The plan is to open the new YAN Space for January, but in the meantime, YAN is still continuing to deliver programming.
“We’ve gone back to our original model,” explains Kent. “So when we first opened the YAN five years ago, we didn’t have a dedicated space. So we were doing programming based on youth input, but when we ran a program we just found an appropriate space to run it in.”
Kristen Renn, YAN’s program facilitator, has continued to organize programming, using space at the Seven Summits Centre for Learning, the Rossland Scout Hall and in coffee shops.
To make a contribution to the campaign, visit yanspace15in15.yodel.org.
Those who donate $25 or more will receive a tax receipt from the City of Rossland.