After several months of uncertainty, the PSO Storefront program has found a new home at the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre's Raven Youth Centre.
The PSO Storefront is School District 27's local alternate program for students in Grades 9 to 12 who, for various reasons, are unable to succeed at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School. SD27 had originally planned to move the program from its longtime location on Taylor Way to a portable at 100 Mile Elementary School in February, while they searched for a new permanent location for the program. SD27 cited the old location's mixed-use nature as not a good fit for the program.
This move, however, ran into vocal opposition from several parents at the elementary school, leading to the program being effectively homeless for the last several months. SD27 Superintendent Cheryl Lenardon said the PSO Storefront students have been working out of PSO and at Spring Lake Ranch while she finalized this new deal with the CFEC.
"We've had a good spring, but we needed to find a long-term home for the program. We worked with the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre and they have been enthusiastic about welcoming the program into their space at the Raven," Lenardon said. "We couldn't be more excited, we just think it's a great fit for the program, so that will be their primary location beginning in the fall. We will continue to have outdoor components and activities for the youth."
Lenardon said one of SD27's trustees, Willow McDonald, had a conversation with CFEC executive director Jess Fraser about the situation, which led to Fraser and Lenardon later connecting. She noted Fraser was excited about the possibility and the potential of meeting the needs of a wide variety of youth.
Fraser herself said the PSO Storefront situation had been a common topic of discussion amongst her staff over the last few months. She noted they were concerned for the students, as some of them are clients of the Raven Youth Centre.
"They're not bad kids. Some have learning differences and just unpredictable backgrounds," Fraser said. "Some of my board members were very passionate about it because they just felt these kids were being chased out. Every child has a right to education."
After the initial talks with Fraser, Lenardon said Heather Auger, the principal of both Skyline Alternate School and of PSO Storefront, visited the Raven to see if it would be suitable. Fraser noted Auger approved of the set-up and was especially happy the students would have easy access to the Cariboo Regional District Library, just across the street.
"We were clearly kindred spirits, I think her philosophies and values are very similar to what the CFEC's are," Fraser said. "She wanted a place that was informal but provided all the necessities for them to meet."
Lenardon and Fraser both said PSO Storefront will lease the Raven Youth Centre from the CFEC during the school day and after school ends, the Raven will open for its usual after-school programming.
"We see all kinds of opportunity for cross initiatives and support," Lenardon said.
Sean Cameron, SD27's director of instruction, said the PSO Storefront program typically has an enrollment of 10 to 15 students in any given year. He noted SD27 is also hoping to connect with students not enrolled in regular school and get them back into the school system.
"It's all based on a really robust referral and screening intake process. It's really targeting students who have a need for some really intensive service. That's why they require a program that's outside of the regular school day and site," Lenardon said. "This partnership is really good for that because it brings the students into direct contact with the kind of services the program aims to provide. It's a really nice example of the collective responsibility for youth success we're trying to build."
Both Lenardon and Cameron are optimistic this new location will allow SD27 to offer new opportunities to these students they didn't have access to in the past.
"Having a place for these students, all our students, that is an educational environment that provides a safe, welcoming environment that is conducive to learning. That, throughout the year, is what we've been looking for," Cameron said. "(The Raven) supports all their unique learning needs and from that standpoint, we're thrilled to move into this space and provide this learning opportunity for our students next year."
Fraser said they will begin with a one-year lease of the Raven Youth Centre starting in September and running until June of 2026. She noted the CFEC will be happy to host the PSO Storefront so long as SD27 wishes to partner with them.
"I am relieved that CFEC was able to offer a solution that will keep everybody happy while providing the education these kids need. Our goal is to set up vulnerable kids for success and even if we are just leasing space to them, it still represents the values of CFEC," Fraser remarked. "We are really delighted to accommodate these kids."
