When The Penticton Centre for Exceptional Learning (EXCEL) learned it would need to leave its longtime home, the future of a vital program for autistic children and youth in the South Okanagan was suddenly uncertain. The organization had found a new location, but extensive renovations were needed to make the space safe, accessible, and suitable for the specialized learning environment students depend on every day.
Thanks to the generosity of Community Foundation donors and support through the Foundation Capital Investments Program, EXCEL was able to complete the renovations needed to open its doors in a new home. The Community Foundation provided a $100,000 matching grant toward the project through the Foundation Capital Investments Program. To reach the $100,000 EXCEL needed to raise to secure the match, the Janet Parker Trust contributed the final $20,000, helping the organization cross the finish line and move the project forward.
The project transformed the space into a welcoming environment designed to meet the needs of students and families. Renovations included the creation of classrooms and learning areas, accessibility and infrastructure upgrades, improved lighting and flooring, and the addition of a teaching kitchen that supports life-skills development and employment-readiness learning.
For Executive Director Carrie Ferguson, seeing students return this fall made the months of planning and construction worthwhile.
“It was a major time crunch to get everything done, and it was exciting to see how far we came from moving day on August 31 to opening day on September 9 and how much everything came together in such a short amount of time.”
The new location is already creating opportunities that simply were not possible before. Situated in the heart of the community, students have greater access to public transportation and can build confidence through everyday experiences that foster independence.
“We’re in a much more central location for busing, so that really helps students get here easily on public transit,” Ferguson says. “The students and the staff have been out every day on adventures, exploring new exciting things in the community—the Japanese Gardens, the Foundry youth centre, the library.”
Those experiences may seem small, but they can be life changing. For many students, EXCEL provides a sense of belonging that has been difficult to find elsewhere. Families often arrive after years of challenges in traditional school settings, carrying the weight of anxiety, isolation, and school avoidance.
The impact extends far beyond the classroom. Parents see their children form friendships, gain confidence, and participate in experiences many families once thought were out of reach.
“You don’t realize how impactful a negative school experience is and how it affects every member of the family on every level,” Ferguson said. “When families see their children making real friends and real connections, it changes everything.”
The renovation project was about more than a building. It was about ensuring that Autistic children and youth in our region continue to have access to specialized education, life-skills training, and a supportive community where they can thrive.
“Absolutely, we would have had to close our doors had the Community Foundation not stepped in,” says Carrie Ferguson, Executive Director of EXCEL. “There was nowhere to go, and we could not have afforded the renovations needed to make this space operational. We know first-hand the difference this program makes in the lives of students and families. By helping make this move possible, Community Foundation donors have ensured these students continue to have a place where they belong, learn, and grow. We are incredibly grateful.”
“I’ve finally found my people, people that actually understand me and truly care about me. For the first time in years, I’ve felt comfortable…And it has not gone over my head that all the staff here have made it possible. For that I truly thank you and that I look forward to next year.”
– Student of EXCEL program
