Yale Secondary Appeals for Support After Funding Cuts

The recent decision by the British Columbia government to discontinue its $20 million student and family affordability fund is significantly impacting vulnerable students at Yale Secondary School in Abbotsford. This fund, established in 2022, provided essential support to families struggling to afford school supplies, meals, and other necessities. With its abrupt cancellation, students who rely on this assistance are now left without crucial resources.

Hayley Davey, a youth and family worker at Yale Secondary School, expressed her dismay over the funding cuts. “I just don’t understand why they have cut funding when the needs are way higher than they’ve ever been,” she stated. The fund not only assisted with educational expenses but also enabled schools to address urgent needs like food and clothing for students in distress.

One poignant example of the fund’s impact involved a student caring for a sick father and younger sister, with their mother absent from the picture. Davey described how the student lacked basic necessities, saying, “I was able to take her to Walmart and get her what she needed,” including food items such as ground beef and vegetables.

The loss of this funding came as a shock to Davey when she returned to school in September. “It’s a huge loss. I only found out the first day,” she recalled. Her role involves assisting students facing various challenges, but the absence of this financial support has severely limited her ability to help.

In response to the funding cuts, Davey has been using her personal funds to help students in need. Within the first week of school, she spent hundreds of dollars on essentials. “They come in with nothing,” she remarked, highlighting the dire situations many students face. To further assist, she has also been providing clothing and shoes from her own closet.

The situation affects approximately 140 students, many of whom arrive at school hungry. Although the provincial government’s Feeding Futures Program allows for the distribution of breakfast and lunch items, strict regulations limit the types of food that can be provided. Davey noted, “I can’t buy granola bars because it’s not a breakfast item,” leading her to rely on her own supplies to fill gaps.

To address the pressing needs, Yale Secondary School has turned to the Adopt-A-School (AAS) program, requesting $20,000 to support their students. “Any hungry kid should be fed. We need money for food, clothes, and some school supplies,” Davey emphasized. She has witnessed students lacking appropriate clothing even during drills, underlining the urgent need for assistance.

Since its inception in 2011, the AAS has allocated $15.1 million to schools across British Columbia, thanks to the generosity of Vancouver Sun readers. Importantly, 100% of donations to AAS go directly to schools, with no administrative fees deducted.

In light of the current situation, community support is vital for ensuring that students at Yale Secondary School receive the assistance they desperately need. Donations can be made online at vansunkidsfund.ca or by calling 604-813-8673 for credit card payments. Each contribution can make a significant difference in the lives of these students, helping to alleviate some of the burdens they face daily.