Kamloops Big Brothers Big Sisters to cease operations, Okanagan branch will take over

The Big Brothers Big Sisters branch in Kamloops will closeat the end ofDecember 2017, and the Okanaganbranch will take over in the new year, in an effort to minimize costs.

"It will be a fresh start," said Gerald Watson, vice president of the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kamloops and region."It's definitely not going to be the same."

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Watson said the branch has had trouble maintaining stable funding.That, coupled with high administrative costs, hasmade it difficult to keep the enterprise profitable.According to Watson, small agencies, like the Kamloops branch, across the country have experienced similar struggles.

Staff atBig Brothers Big SistersKamloopsand region have received layoff notices

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Watson said the organization was at risk of folding altogether, but combining operations with the Okanagandivision means there will still be a Big Brothers Big Sisters presencein Kamloops.

Board members from the Kamloops and region branch are expected to join the board of the new entity.

"On one level it's very sad," Watson said."On the other hand, I'm pleased there's a way this is going to work out; that there is going to be apresence in Kamloops."

With files from Jenifer Norwell