Desperate youth from across the Fraser Valley looking for an emergency bed for the night won’t find one at the Chilliwack Salvation Army anymore.
They tried to keep the youth shelter service going, but the beds are now closed due to a lack of program funding, said Ian Pratt, community ministries director for Chilliwack Salvation Army.
“We had the contract for eight years,” he confirmed.
The Youth At Risk contract, providing two emergency shelter beds at the Chilliwack Salvation Army, ended in December.
At-risk kids from Hope to Langley have sought shelter from the program which was in partnership with Ministry of Children and Family Development, which also offered follow-up assistance and support.
Whether they were fleeing family violence or suddenly found themselves homeless, youth aged 12 to 18 could show up at the youth shelter, which was open nightly from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. by referral.
Now the closest emergency shelter beds for youth are in Abbotsford.
Any teens who come to the Care and Share Centre on Yale Road asking for an emergency bed are now being referred to MCFD.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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