An anonymous donor has agreed to match up to $200,000 in donations for the youth centre, giving the campaign a big boost.

The anonymous donation to the Futures Start Here campaign will assist in the creation of a one-stop-shop of co-ordinated services, resources and activities for youth in Penticton.

Related: Youth Resource Centre and Foundry Penticton are coming to fruition

“This is a significant development in the Futures Start Here fundraising campaign for the Youth Resource Centre,” said Aaron McRann, executive director of the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan|Similkameen, in a news release. “We are currently over half way to our $1.2 million goal for this phase of the fundraising campaign. This matching donation is going to give the campaign a real boost.”

The matching program is limited to a total of $200,000 which must be received by the end of 2018.

“There’s a chance the program can continue into 2019, but that has not been confirmed, so we’re really urging people to jump on this quickly,” said McRann.

Funds will be used to pay for renovating the main floor of the Youth Resource Centre at 501 Main St. in Penticton and opening Foundry Penticton.

Related: YES Project moves into second fundraising phase

“Foundry Penticton is the anchor tenant for this building, providing youth (aged 12 to 24) and their families with one door to access youth services and resources in our community,” said Ian Gerbrandt, director of Child, Youth, & Family Services for OneSky Community Resources, the agency that will be the lead organization operating Foundry Penticton. “This is a very exciting development that we hope will energize and inspire local donors and businesses to support this project.”

Judy Lloyd, the campaign chair for the youth centre’s fundraising campaign, said she is thrilled to secure this matching gift.

“It’s been my experience that donors love to double their money, so I expect many of the folks we’ve been talking to will be ready to make their contribution.”

Naming opportunities are available for many of the rooms inside Foundry Penticton and the donor wall will provide recognition for all gifts over $5,000. The matching money does not count towards the value of naming rights.

To learn more about Foundry Penticton and the Youth Resource Centre, contact the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan|Similkameen at 250-493-9311 or www.cfso.net/penticton-youth-centre.

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