'No youth is left behind': Kamloops celebrates the opening of Katherine's Place

A long-awaited youth supportive housing project has officially opened.

On Friday, the province announced that Katherine’s Place is now fully operational and ready to help youth at risk of homelessness.

The building, which includes 39 homes for people between 19 and 27, is located at 560 Tranquille Rd. and is named after the late Kathrine McParland.

McParland was the founder and former executive director of A Way Home Kamloops (AWHK), the local nonprofit organization that will operate the building and provide support services.

The building was announced in September 2021, almost a year after McParland’s passing.

The project aims to honour and acknowledge the impact she had on local youth while continuing her legacy by providing services to youth who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness, the province noted.

“A Way Home Kamloops is excited to see the vision of their founder Katherine McParland come to life,” said Tangie Genshorek, executive director, AWHK.

“The project is the product of multiple partnerships and community collaboration. AWHK works to put youth first, to honour their stories, and to meet them where they are, with what they need.”

The building will offer a “scaled support model,” which will tailor support to each person's needs and goals, the province said in a news release issued Friday afternoon.

Support will be reduced as needed with the goal of transitioning to independent living or other housing that meets the youth’s needs.

According to the news release, those supports will include daily meals, life-skills training, peer guidance, mental-health resources and help with navigating employment or education.

Three staff members will be on site 24/7 to ensure residents are supported and security will include camera monitoring and a controlled single point of entry.

Katherine’s Place includes a mix of 20 regular, five large, six adaptable and two fully accessible bachelor suites and six one-bedroom suites.

“Katherine was not just an incredible woman, but she made all those around her feel safe and heard. She saw value in every single young person,” said Kira Cheeseborough, youth adviser at A Way Home Kamloops.

“Katherine's Place will continue to create the safety and love we felt. With this space, we take a step toward ensuring no youth is left behind.”