The late Aileen Hewett has been honoured with a sign at a building named for her, as her legacy continues with the grand opening of Foundry Cariboo Chilcotin Friday, June 16.
Hewett was a champion child and youth advocate, who, in the 1970s, after conversations with the parents of children with disabilities, worked tirelessly to advocate for and fundraise to create the centre in order to provide services and supports for children with disabilities and their families.
Prior to this, families needing extra services would have to travel to Prince George or Vancouver to receive help.
Hewett mobilized the community and fundraised for years to be able to bring the centre to life. Since then, the programs and services have grown over the many decades. Hewett died at the age of 102 in 2020.
Now, the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre is the organization supporting the opening of the new youth centre Foundry Cariboo Chilcotin, where youth ages 12-24 can access all manner of services, from basic life skills education to health and reproductive services to peer counselling.
The Foundry Cariboo Chilcotin is inviting the community to their grand opening event to check out the new centre, designed and planned with input from area youth.
The public is invited for snacks and explore the new space from noon until 3 p.m.
READ MORE: Aileen Hewett a woman with heart for children
READ MORE: Legacy of Aileen Hewett, founder of Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre continues
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