The Province of Manitoba is announcing that they are donating $25,000 to Youth for Christ (YFC) in Altona to replace an ageing van.

A new van for YFC Altona's The Station will be arriving in time for spring.

The organization, which has been in Altona since 1999, says that they have been using an old van to support their community. The van aided those wanting to get to and from the Altona YFC and participate in YFC activities.

yfc van
A running joke at YFC was that they did not know how much longer their van would continue to run for.

YFC has been fundraising for a new van since 2018.

The fund for the new van was not requested by YFC but instead requested by Altona's police department. The Altona Police Service reached out to the province because they believed a new van would be an asset to their community.

“Our youth are our future,” Chief Perry Batchelor, Altona Police Service says. “It is outstanding that we have an organization in our community where so many people volunteer their time, ensuring that these kids have an opportunity to participate in so many positive events.  The new van will get them there and back safely.”

Justice Minister Cliff Cullen says that he approved the request under the federal Proceeds of Crime Fund, a fund that uses forfeited money from federally prosecuted Criminal Code offences in Manitoba.

“Our investment will help ensure these young Manitobans will benefit from positive experiences that can help put them on a healthier, more productive path for the rest of their lives," Cullen says. “Many vulnerable and at-risk young people can thrive if given the opportunity.”

YFC ordered the new vehicle in February and it is set to arrive this spring.