An after-hours clinic for youth in Sidney is being extended another month, after very positive reception by the community and an abundance of people using the clinicB次元官网网址檚 services.
Originally open in June and July only, the will continue through August and one of the main organizers hopes to be able to keep it going even longer.
B次元官网网址淲hen something like this starts, it shows you just how many people have been waiting for it,B次元官网网址� says Jen Harrison, Youth and Family Engagement Coordinator with theSouth Island Division of Family Practice.
Harrison, in Facebook posts with the B次元官网网址 Review, wrote that the youth are using a variety of the clinicB次元官网网址檚 services, meaning the physicians donating their time to the clinic are reaching a wide range of young people with various needs.
Helping spur on youth visits to the clinic, Harrison said, is the youth volunteers, who have been out in the community, talking about the clinic.
B次元官网网址淭hey are currently creating a resource card to give out to youth across the region once school starts. It will include emergency numbers and help lines for youth-related concerns.B次元官网网址�
The youth volunteers reach their peers easier by getting out into the community, with information, condoms, and even tampons.
B次元官网网址淲e welcome anyone who wants to help out,B次元官网网址� Harrison continued. B次元官网网址淲e also will have Jennifer Gibson, educator with Island Sexual Health, coming out and she wants to offer sexual health (education) and health relationship workshops.B次元官网网址�
Harrison added theyB次元官网网址檝e received interest in their program from the municipalities of Sidney and North Saanich and they are reaching out to local service groups for any potential support to cover their costs and to keep their doors open longer.
B次元官网网址淭he costs arenB次元官网网址檛 high as long as the doctors keep getting youth through the door,B次元官网网址� she explained. B次元官网网址淚n B.C., we are working on a fee for service model, so this is how we pay the bills.B次元官网网址�
Harrison added the clinic workers are also working with area First Nations t ensure they are offering service to youth living on local reserves.
B次元官网网址淭o make this a year-long service, we need lots of cooperation form all sectors B次元官网网址� this is a community effort.B次元官网网址�
She credits the work of doctors Kate Evans and Lori Vogt, calling them linchpins.
B次元官网网址淭hey are personally driven to offer this service and that is not something easy to replicate.B次元官网网址�
The youth clinic takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday evening at the Ocean Pier Medical Clinic on Beacon Avenue in Sidney. For information, call or text 250-216-8389.
