September 21, 2005
Langley Family Services
MLA Statement
M. Polak: Today I want to tell the members of the House about a wonderful organization in the riding of Langley, which I serve, that has had the opportunity to take a terrible tragedy in the summer, and by now, in the fall, turn it into a real triumph.
On June 23 my cell phone went off about seven in the morning and a very frazzled president of Langley Family Services advised me that the main building in their complex was, at that moment, burning to the ground. I hopped in my car, looking a little bit dishevelled, and made it out to find a group of us standing around looking at the destruction and realizing that that morning there would be a large number of families and other people in need who would be looking for the continued services that Langley Family Services provides.
In fact, for the past 24 years Langley Family Services has been providing counselling and support to families in the Langley area with a wide range of services, such as ESL and multicultural programs, drug addiction counselling and a very popular family place drop-in centre.
I'm pleased to report to the House that within a few short hours the president, the board of directors and the executive director of Langley Family Services had acted quickly enough that by the end of that day they had a location where they could operate, and they were beginning to raise funds within the community. Working together with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, this government was able to step in with an emergency grant of $37,928 to help with that recovery.
They have now launched a major fundraising drive for $500,000 by selling bricks that they hope to resemble the rebuilding that will take place on their site. I hope they have the best success possible with their fundraising efforts. I'm confident the community of Langley is behind them and that they will succeed. I hope the House would congratulate them on taking a tragedy and indeed turning it into a triumph.
