KEREMEOS — Six years ago, Robert Boretta-McLeod was heavily involved in drugs and was heading down a road that would leave him either “dead or in jail.” But his life turned around when a Montreal-based non-profit comapny called Portage opened up The Crossing in Keremeos. It was a long-term residential treatment centre for youth — the only one of its kind in the province.
But earlier this month, the facility shut its doors.
READ MORE: THE CROSSING IN KEREMEOS REACHES A CROSS ROAD
Now Boretta-McLeod is spearheading a campaign, hoping to get the province’s attention.
“Not only did it help me and some of my friends, but five years from now, what if someone’s grandson needed the service?”
He says there should be more facilities for at-risk youth — not fewer.
Keremeos Mayor Manfred Bauer is also taking action by writing to the Minister of Health.
Bauer recently spoke with provincial health agencies about the future of the treatment centre.
“Out of that conversation, I walked away with a very positive understanding that they will try to renegotiate with a new operator to re-open the facility,” he says.
That means finding a new owner to operate under the Interior Health Authority’s current license.
To find out more about the petition click here.
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