Tech boost for childcare

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

A Penticton centre that supports hundreds of children facing developmental challenges has received a boost from a local business.

David Kampe and Peters Bros Construction recently stepped in with a donation of $52,800, allowing aging computers, laptops, and iPads to be replaced at the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre on Carmi Avenue.

“Updated technology is a crucial part of excellence in care,” said Manisha Willms, the executive director for OSNS. “We were losing so much time to computer issues and were not able to utilize newer programs to help our children.

With long waiting lists of children to support, this was both inefficient and frustrating. The technology gift from Mr. Kampe came at an excellent time.”

In addition to supporting more than 1,200 children annually who have difficulties, they also run innovative early learning programs for all children in the South Okanagan.

To do the work, they receive base funding from the government for treatment services, but also fundraise to help with materials and operating equipment.

According to Willms, one of the biggest problems they were facing was they were slowed down in recent years by badly aging computers, resulting in treatment staff struggling to make use of newer programs and communication technology.

After posting information about their need to upgrade the technology, Peter Bros Construction came to their rescue.

At this point, they have already put in an order for additional iPads, laptops for use with their outreach clinics and new desktops for treatment staff, which are starting to come in this week.

"All of us feel this incredible sense of gratitude and relief," said Willms. "We know that our care to children will be significantly improved because of this gift."

Treatment services are delivered both at the centre and with outreach through the South Okanagan Similkameen.

The new technology will touch every program and service.