The head of a local food bank says it’s going to be tough to makeup the loss of a cross-country volunteer service that is being cut by the federal government.
Katimavik is a 35-year-old program that takes youth ages 17-21 and places them in new cities for three months with an emphasis on volunteering and skill building. But the $15 million program was abruptly cut last week when the federal government announced its budget.
“For us it’s a bit of a shock. I’m disappointed that they would take that out of the budget because quite frankly I think that’s a huge asset,” Regional Food Distribution Association executive director Volker Cromm said.
The association uses Katimavikvolunteers for every aspect of its operation from food sorting to building maintenance to events planning. For the past three years, the organizations have had a symbiotic relationship. Kromm said his association can teach the Katimavikparticipants skills while the volunteers learn from a diverse group of youth from across Canada.
“Without the volunteers it really doesn’t happen,” he said. “It’s not only their energy and efforts but they bring youthful vitality.”
Katimavik participant Mariah Ingram is from Vancouver. She’s part of a group that came to Thunder Bay March 28, one day before the announcement came down that funding would be cut in June. Ingram said it’s really sad to see the program go.
“This is something that will change my life and has already,” she said. “I gain skills everyday that I never thought I would gain and on top of which I never thought I would do.”
Nick Shalagan has been the program’s project leader in Thunder Bay since June. He worries about the local not-for-profits that have come to rely on Katimavik.
And although the cut is supposed to save the government money, Shalagan said every dollar invested into the program produces more than two dollars of economic output. The participants volunteer at organizations up to 40 hours a week. With that kind of labour, those places can develop special projects.
“Those special projects probably don’t get done without the help of the volunteers,” he said.
Kromm, Ingram and Shalagan said lobbying efforts are underway to try and save the program.
Kromm is encouraging all organizations that use Katimavik to make a statement together.
Otherwise, the program will end in June.
