One step closer to the dream

RBC Manager Lauri Petz presents OKP Campaign Co-Chairs Dr. Joseph Madden (l) and Scott Clark (r) and Executive Director Judy Sharpe with $25,000 for the new Children’s Treatment Centre Wednesday.

With a substantial contribution of $25,000 from the Royal Bank of Canada Wednesday One Kids Place took one step closer to realising their fundraising goal of and opening what will be northern Ontario’s centre of excellence for children’s care.

“We expect it to be finished by the end of June,” says OKP Executive Director Judy Sharpe.

“You drive by the site and you see all the activity moving ahead quickly.”

“The floors are poured and you can see room definition now.”

Lauri Petz a manager with RBC says the construction of the new Children’s Treatment Centre is a project that is easy for the area branches to get behind because it is all about kids.

“One of the major reasons is the catchment area is the one that we serve,” she says.

“And it is easy for our people to support what could be part of ... plus our national objective is children and their wellness.”

Sharpe says it is long overdue for the OKP staff to have functional space to deliver the services that are vital to area children and families.

“The new centre shows support for the work they do,” she notes.

“It will also help with our retention and recruitment of staff and allow us to compete with the larger urban centres.”

OKP serves children and youth in the Districts of Nipissing, Parry Sound and Muskoka who have communication, developmental and physical disabilities.