Katherine's Place (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

KATHERINE'S PLACE OPENS

Katherine’s Place opens in Kamloops as community members remember its namesake

Feb 28, 2025 | 4:40 PM

KAMLOOPS — A dream borne many years ago is now a reality for A Way Home Kamloops, with the official opening of Katherine’s Place on Kamloops’ North Shore Friday afternoon (Feb. 28). Named after the late Katherine McParland, the new building will provide homes for 39 at-risk youth in Kamloops, providing them with stability and wraparound supports.

Much like the new mural that now adorns Katherine’s Place, Kira Cheeseborough weaved a beautiful metaphor describing the work that will soon be done inside.

“Ten years ago, a youth unknowingly stood at a precipice unable to be able to predict what was about to happen in the next few months. They had no connections, no support, no understanding of what they were experiencing or who to reliably go to for help. They lacked the connection and community,” said Cheeseborough.

It was the story of her own youth and being caught by A Way Home Kamloops, who carefully helped her regain her footing on solid ground.

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“The youth fell again and again, but each time they managed to get just a little bit higher and that net was always there when they looked back. One day, they were no longer in the shadow of a mountains cliff, but felt the sun on their face as they crested over,” said Cheeseborough, who now works as a youth advisor at A Way Home Kamloops.

“I don’t think [youth homelessness] had shown up on many of our radars with the gravity that it should have until Katherine came along. She taught us about her life and she taught us about kids like her who were hidden, who were on couches, who were on riverbanks, who were alone and she created a family,” said Deputy Mayor Katie Neustaeter Friday.

McParland passed away in 2020, leaving behind a dream, a passion and a flame that now lives on inside everyone who knew her.

“She taught us what ‘found family’ means, what community looks like and has helped us to become the leaders we are today. She saw the potential in every young person and knew that the circumstances are not what defined their identities or lives,” said Cheeseborough.

A dream now realized, youth aged 19 to 27 will begin moving into Kathrine’s Place next week — a place they will call home.

“I have continued hope that the work will happen here at Katherine’s Place and it will help the youth who are falling or about to fall, so they, too, will find community wrap around them and be given the safety they need to rest, to grieve, to heal, to recover and to grow,” concluded Cheeseborough.