Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society eyeing new building, 32 housing units

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society is in the midst of raising funds for a new building that would provide office space as well as housing for low-income families and elders.

The building on Palm Street on the North Shore was built in 1972 and the society says it has simply outgrown the space. With more affordable housing needed in the city, the friendship society is hoping to construction a new building that will include more than 30 units.

“We’re looking at having residential for our elders, our single parents, moms that are fleeing abusive relationships,” said executive director of the Aboriginal Friendship Society, Vicki Michaud. “We’re hoping to have 32 units in this new build, plus the friendship centre will be in there as well.”

Construction of the new building is all dependent on funding. It is applying for grants through BC Housing and the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

It also has a GoFundMe page. The page was launched five months ago, and since the discovery of the 215 bodies, the total has ballooned.

“The money is coming in from just everywhere, right across the province, right across Canada. Everywhere. We started Sunday evening, we had about $5,000 in there. We’re up to $76,000 right now for a GoFundMe page. The donations are incredible that are coming in. We’re so grateful and thankful for that.”