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In this episode of Csekin In, Nikki Csek recently sat down with Ginny Becker of The Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) in Kelowna.
Becker is the executive director of the centre and shared with Nikki the work the CYAC has undertaken and how her professional journey led her to this position.
After studying at the University of British Columbia and receiving a bachelor's degree in international relations and affairs, Becker returned to the Okanagan and wanted to work in a position in a local industry.
Becker joined a winery and began her professional journey in various positions in sales and marketing before making a “leap of faith” into the world of nonprofits.
“I think that real moment of clarity came when the construction was finished and walking up the stairs into the space and having this really visceral sort of moment of understanding – that all we had built was a space – that the really hard work of building a system change environment was only going to begin and that got me really excited,” explained Becker.
“And that was that one big purposeful stretch was basically leaving a large organization to try to seek out something that would make me feel more connected to (the) community and to purpose.”
Enter the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre, which Becker was brought in to help construct in Kelowna, but was not sure she was the right person to lead the centre once it was operational.
“I think that real moment of clarity came when the construction was finished and walking up the stairs into the space and having this really visceral sort of moment of understanding that all we had built was a space that the really hard work of building a system change environment was only going to begin and that got me really excited,” added Becker.
According to the CYAC, their purpose is to “provide an inspired, child-friendly environment dedicated to supporting those impacted by child abuse and neglect by empowering frontline agencies to work together to improve outcomes and build resilience for children, families and community.”
Over the years, the Kelowna location has worked alongside the other CYAC locations across the country to improve the way youth victims are treated by the justice system.
One recent achievement Becker shared was the establishment of a remote testimony service in BC, meaning children could provide testimonies in the safety of the CYAC.
Click the above video to watch the in-depth interview and learn more about Becker and the CYAC.
Becker also implored the public to learn more about the CYAC and their cause at the following link.
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