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Reach Out opens a second location

Reach Out Youth Counselling and Family Services has opened at a second location and hopes to continue service in the fall.

Reach Out Youth Counselling and Family Services has continued with its in-school programing for people ages 13 to 25 and their families for the summer in Lake Country.

The charity has run an in-school program at George Elliott Secondary School (GESS) since 2005. With a steady demand for its services, Reach Out has extended to a secondary location and hopes to continue service in the fall.

“We realized that Lake Country and West Kelowna did not have free or affordable counselling options for youth and families,” said Sharon Marshall, executive director of Reach Out. “With the school year closing we wanted to provide integrated services in both communities.”

Reach Out has a full intake process that can be accessed by visiting the website, www.reachoutyouthcounselling.com and calling the Kelowna office.  All counselling meetings would take place in the integrated services building across from GESS.

“People who might need our services can get in touch with us.  We have professional counsellors and clinical counsellors,” explains Marshall.

The service focuses on bringing youth through the thicket of emotional and social problems that can arise during challenging times. “We are looking at family and school related issues,” said Marshall.  “We move people though the program, we are geared to kids dealing with school, friends, low self esteem, all of those situations that can arise for young people.”

The organization does refer out to specialists for clients who may have mental health concerns.

Reach Out will be continuing their in school programming this fall when school starts again.  Due to demand they are expecting to be open one day per week in the community once school opens again.  “If there is greater need and we can find funding as a charity, we could offer more,” said Marshall.

To contact Reach Out Youth Counselling and Family Services call 250-763-7892.