Donation empowers Bathurst’s Youth Center to do more for vulnerable population
The City of Bathurst is proud to announce that the Bathurst Youth Center is the recipient of a $9,500.00 donation received from the Canadian Medical Association Foundation (CMAF). The funds will be delivered to the city through the COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Vulnerable Populations, the result of a collaboration between the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the CMAF. They will enable the Youth Center’s Emergency Homeless Shelter to enhance services to Bathurst’s vulnerable populations further impacted with the impacts of COVID-19 since the pandemic’s outbreak.
“I want to thank the CMA Foundation for this donation and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for their support in facilitating this critical initiative,” said Mélanie Frigault, Executive Director of the Bathurst Youth Center. “We have witnessed an approximate increase of 18% to 20% in requests for assistance at the Bathurst Emergency Homeless Shelter since the COVID-19 outbreak was declared. Nonetheless, we have maintained services to the homeless population, at-risk youth, victims of domestic violence, First Nations individuals living off reserve, those with substance addiction and mental health needs. This donation will be of great assistance and allow us to continue our efforts,” said Frigault.
The Bathurst Youth Center has been helping those in need for over 21 years by providing essential services such as shelter, food, hygiene products, cleaning and personal protection products, as well as needed medicines in order to ensure their pathway towards a healthy and independent life.
“To receive this kind of direct funding from an organization like the CMA Foundation is not only a testament to the great work done at the Bathurst Youth Center’s Emergency Homeless Shelter, and what other communities across Canada have been doing since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is also a welcome breath of fresh air,” said Mayor Paolo Fongemie. “Municipalities have been working hard to keep Canadians safe during these trying times. This funding will allow us to continue to provide vital services to our residents in need, through the great work done at the Bathurst Youth Center.”
PRESS_RELEASE_-_Bathurst_-_CMAF_Donation_to_Bathurst_Youth_Center_-_2020-08-04_EN.pdf