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Resiliency centre for wildfire evacuees opens on Westbank First Nation lands

The centre will serve as a single point of contact to provide support and information
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A resident living on Bear Creek Road returned home to find nothing left after the McDougall Creek wildfire tore through the area. (Brittany Webster/ West K News)

A resiliency centre is now open to support wildfire evacuees and those experiencing loss from the McDougall Creek blaze.

The centre, located on Westbank First Nation (WFN) lands, will serve as a single point of contact to provide support and information from government, non-governmental organizations and other agencies.

ѻýThe nsyilxcən name given to the centre, ѻýsnknxtwiltn,ѻý can be interpreted as a ѻýplace where help is provided to one another,ѻýѻý said Andrea Alexander, WFN councillor. ѻýThis word encapsulates the spirit of hope and perseverance that we hope this centre will bring.ѻý

West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom thanked WFN for providing space for the centre.

ѻýThe Resiliency Centre will help those affected by the wildfire to recover and rebuild through a collaborative support model and I am extremely grateful for everyoneѻýs efforts,ѻý he said.

Regional District Central Okanagan Board (RDCO) Chair Loyal Wooldridge added that the centre will streamline access to support and information.

ѻýAs we focus on recovering, rebuilding and restoring our wildfire-damaged community, supporting people as they navigate the programs and services available will be one of our highest priorities,ѻý he said.

Services providers include:

  • Community caseworkers;
  • Insurance Board of Canada;
  • Service Canada;
  • Service BC;
  • Ministry services;
  • ICBC;
  • Samaritanѻýs Purse.

The centre is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice and is located at #403 - 3031 Louie Drive. The phone number is 250-707-3454. Information is also available online through the .

READ MORE: ѻýNothing leftѻý: West Kelowna resident reveals shocking wildfire damage

READ MORE: West Kelowna wildfire grows despite rainy weather



gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com

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About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.
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