In March, 2025 we received $15,000 from Food Banks Canada through the Emergency Food Action grant. With a 20% increase in Cherryville households in need of monthly hampers since 2022, our capacity to support the consistent demand has been difficult. This past January-March were particularly difficult months as we had significantly less food donations available over these months and our hamper quantity and quality were compromised. When our Food Bank Floor Manager was asked why there was such a decrease in available food donations over these months, he thoughtfully pondered the impact of the imposing tariffs on our food systems. Despite the unsettling economic and political climate this past year, we were incredibly blessed to be a recipient of the Emergency Food Action grant. Due to these funds to purchase food, we were able to replenish our much needed staple items including healthy perishable items from March-June which directly benefited our local families and households in need.
Cherryville Summer Camp is a non-profit program being offered through Cherryville Community Food and Resources Society. We strive to support families and youth in Cherryville area by fostering a safe space for children to continue learning development throughout the summer months. Campers will have the opportunity to socialize with peers, build healthy and active routines and continue learning through games, crafts, science, free play and more!
We have two positions available, a Summer Camp Coordinator, as supported through Canada Summer Jobs, and a Summer Camp Helper offered solely by Cherryville Community Food & Resource Society. We are planning to run 6 unique week long camps, Monday-Thursdays throughout July and August in the Cherryville area. If you are interested in either position, please see below for more details.
Camp Coordinator Position Summary
The Summer Camp Coordinator will plan, coordinate, conduct, and supervise all recreational activities for youth during Cherryville Summer Camp. Camps will likely run Monday-Thursday for a total of 6 weeks throughout July and August 2025. The Camp Coordinator will spend time in June designing a course plan for the weeklong camps with the help of the Family and Youth Coordinator and CCFRS Staff. The first week will include orientation and job specific training such as First Aid training and WHMIS. Overall, the Camp Coordinator is responsible for the well being and safety of campers, as well as creating a fun and rewarding environment for them.
Education, Training, and Experience:
Experience and/or training working with youth ages 5 through 12
Cleared criminal record check for working with Vulnerable Populations
Valid First Aid & CPR certificate *available through CCFRS if needed
Must be between the ages of 18-30 years old
Must be able to lift and support up to 50 pounds
Duties and Responsibilities for this Position Include:
Plan and implement 6 unique week-long camps for Cherryville youth ages 6-12 (with support from CCFRS staff) throughout July and August
Work collaboratively with the Camp Helper and support day-to-day activities
Monitor and observe youth behavior to ensure safe environment is maintained
Provide skill-building and social skills to youth where able
Adhere to all program policies and procedures
Understand emergency and safety protocols
Ensure attendance checklists are completed daily and submitted to CCFRS staff on a weekly basis
Help in the CCFRS office as needed
Hours:
This is a short-term summer position, consisting of 30 hours per week for 9 weeks starting June 16, 2025. Hourly rate will be $19.00/hour (including MERCS).
Please send resume to: cherryvilleyouth@hotmail.com or drop off your resume in person at CCFRS, Monday to Thursday – 8am to 3pm. Open until position is filled. Interviews to follow with a June start date.
Camp Helper Position Summary
The Summer Camp Helper will work under the direction of the Summer Camp Coordinator, providing support and assistance wherever needed. The Summer Camp Helper will be available during 6 unique week-longs camps throughout July and August and will role model, display and encourage the character traits of caring, responsibility, honesty, and respect in the fulfillment of all job duties.
Education, Training, and Experience:
Experience and/or training working with youth ages 5 through 12
Cleared criminal record check for working with Vulnerable Populations (if 18+)
Valid First Aid & CPR certificate *available through CCFRS if needed
Must be between the ages of 15-30 years old
Must be able to lift and support up to 50 pounds
Duties and Responsibilities for this Position Include:
Assist the Summer Camp Coordinator in weekly activities
Monitor and observe youth behavior
Provide skill-building and social skills to youth
Model appropriate behavior
Adhere to all program policies and procedures
Understand emergency and safety protocols
Ensure a fun safe environment for children
Hours:
This is a short-term summer position, consisting of 20 hours per week for 6 weeks beginning in July 2025. Hourly rate will be $17.85/hour (including MERCS).
Please send resume to: cherryvilleyouth@hotmail.com or drop off your resume in person at CCFRS, Monday to Thursday – 8am to 3pm. Open until position is filled. Interviews to follow with a Julys start date.
Cherryville Community Food and Resources Society
Physical location: 158 North Fork Road, Cherryville, BC V0E 2G3 Email:Cherryvilleyouth@hotmail.comPhone: 250-550-8902 Faxe: 250-547-0059
Cherryville Community Food and Resource Society (CCFRS) is looking to hire a full-time social worker. This position includes working directly with caregivers in the Cherryville and Lumby area offering one-on-one support, system navigation, education and knowledge translation, support groups and hosting 3-4 larger events per year devoted to caregivers.
Education, Training, and Experience:
Bachelor’s of Social Work degree
Minimum one-year related experience working with seniors, caregivers, or others in an outreach type role; or an equivalent combination of training and experience
Group work experience an asset
Must hold a current First Aid & CPR Certificate (available through CCFRS)
Satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector
Must be at least 19 years of age
Must have a Valid Drivers Licence and Vehicle
Work Performed
Duties and Responsibilities for this position include:
One-on-One Support: includes providing emotional support, health care system navigation, knowledge and skill enhancement, connection to community services, and any other individualized support focused on caregivers. One-to-one support is provided through in-person meetings primarily via home visits, check-in calls, email, texts, or virtually.
Support Groups and Events: planning and facilitating various support groups (in-person/virtual) for caregivers living in Cherryville and Lumby. Planning 3-4 larger events in both Cherryville and Lumby throughout the year which may include educational workshops, luncheons, dinner with presenters, etc. to support caregivers in their role and to reduce caregiver strain and burnout.
System Navigation Support: Making referrals to other programs, resources, and services both in Cherryville and Lumby.
Working Collaboratively: Working as part of various teams, building relationships and liaising with community partners both in Cherryville and Lumby, making new connections with service providers in surrounding areas that support caregivers and their loved ones, working positively with CCFRS staff.
Evaluation and Reporting: must provide quarterly reports to Executive Director and maintain relevant statistics and data tracking. Encourage client feedback and quality impact surveys.
Fostering Safe Environments: embracing a non-judgemental approach and encouraging open and inclusiveness with program participants, families, community partners, and staff.
Adhering to CCFRS policy and procedures
Hours: This is a full-time position, 35 hours per week at $30/hour. Monday-Friday 8:00-3:30 (hours can be flexible as determined in accordance with Executive Director). Mileage reimbursement at $.65 per km.
Qualified applicants are invited to submit resume with at least two references by email to: Meghan Derkach, Executive Director at meghan.derkach@ccfrs.ca
Primary Place of Work: Cherryville Resource Center (158 North Fork Rd., Cherryville). Job activities are conducted in both Cherryville and Lumby area. Some remote work may be considered.
Living in a rural area makes it difficult for youth to find work. There are not many job opportunities when living in Cherryville and other remote towns. Unless you have a reliable ride to and from town, where there are many job openings for younger people, then it is difficult to find work. With the lack of job availability in rural towns, youth are not able to gain work experience that is essential for their future. The Canada Summer Jobs Program helps create more job opportunities. They target work suitable for the youth population, and work to teach them about their rights as an employee. This has made a huge difference for the youth in our community, providing job openings suited for them.
This summer, myself (Haylee Benet) and Senay Thompson were employed with Cherryville Community Food & Resources. Having youth as part of the team brings new perspective and ideas to the organization. It is important for the next generation to gain proper work experience, and learn important skills needed to be in the workforce. Senay has been working with Renske in the community gardens since May. They have been cultivating the garden and have been able to supply an outstanding amount of produce for the food bank. Each week there is a large assortment of fresh produce to give out with hampers, cultivated by Senay and Renske.
In an interview I conducted with Senay, she expressed that she is very grateful for this job opportunity close to home. She feels she has gained important work experience for her future. Senay has learned how to apply for a job, and now feels confident for future job application processes. Communicating with her coworkers and boss has helped her build workplace communication skills she will continue to use throughout her life. Senay has had a wonderful summer maintaining the community gardens with Renske and is thankful for the experience in the workforce she has gained.
My name is Haylee Bennett, I just graduated and have had an amazing summer, learning workplace skills before heading into future careers. At Cherryville Community Food & Resources I have been helping with food hampers, social media, and the senior’s meal program. Every week I help Barb build and hand out food hampers, as well as keep the food bank clean and organized. I have also helped keep our social media up to date and have worked on various projects for our webpage throughout the summer. For the senior’s dinners, I help prepare and distribute the meals to seniors in our community. Towards the end of the summer, I started going to the Lake Country food bank to learn about food recovery. I have been going twice a week and have gotten to learn the processes involved in food recovery, which we hope to incorporate into our organization!
Overall, I have been able to gain a great deal of work experience with this job. I feel more confident in my communication skills, learning from involvement in the community and communicating with my coworkers and supervisors. Going through the job application process has prepared me for future careers and I now feel more confident than ever moving into the workforce. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with Cherryville Community Food and Resources this summer, and I am very thankful for all the important skills I was able to practice for my future!
Hi, my name is Haylee Bennett! I am 18 and just graduated from Charles Bloom Secondary School this year. In the future I would like to become an RMT (registered massage therapist). I am currently working to save money for the course and hope to start next year. I enjoy volunteering in the community in my free time. I have helped at the seniors dinners, food bank, and programs run through the elementary school since I was in grade 4. I also enjoy baking and reading in my spare time, as well as going on hikes.
This position was funded by Canada Summer Jobs. If you are interested in employee or volunteer opportunities within our organization, please contact our office at 250-547-0089 for more information.
