 Local
EarthCare gets a helping hand from Katimavik
Jun 16 2006
By Charlie Hodge
Odd how things go sometimes, take on their own energy. This week it
seems Hodge Podge is simply destined to talk about people coming and
going in our lives.
First off is an overdue “bon voyage” to the absolutely
fantastic Katimavik kids who graced our community the past three months.
Kelowna has played host to three different
Katimavik groups over the course of the last nine months, with the
latest contingency totaling nine participants by program’s end.
The recent unit arrived March 29 and departed
at the end of June.
Katimavik is a federal initiative that invites
teens 17 to 20 to apply to take part in the
nine-month program.
Those accepted travel in a group of eight to
14 and spend three months in each of three
different communities across the nation, one
of which must be primarily francophone. The
teens live in the same home and learn various life skills
while also volunteering at a work place within
each community.
The Canadian EarthCare Society was one of the
work hosts throughout the nine months and the
experience was excellent for all involved.
Helping out at EarthCare the past three months
were Valérie Either from Saint-Grégoire, Québec,
Paul Kitz from Toronto, Ontario, Alex Roerick from Whitby, Ontario
and Geneviève Frangié from Laval, Québec.
While three of the EarthCare Kat Kids are heading
home one was so impressed with Kelowna he’s decided to remain
here for at least the summer.
And since EarthCare likes Paul Kitz so much
they asked him to remain on board as the new
executive director.
Of course, given a choice of living in Toronto
or the Okanagan in July and August it’s easy to understand Paul’s
decision.
I’ve got a sneaking hunch that it was not just the ideal of trying
to save the planet that motivated the young man to stay.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that the EarthCare office is just a
block from City Park.
Aside from conducting beach research Kitz
has also been busy with a number of initiatives
and programs including promoting coffee shops
to encourage use of personal mugs rather
than paper and plastic disposable cups.
If interested in assisting Paul with this
or other environmental related goals and
projects please contact him at 861-4788.
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