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Penticton's new social development specialist eager to help residents

His timing may not have been impeccable. But the move has certainly been very positive, and important to local residents.

Adam Goodwin, his wife Samantha, and their 16-month-old son Elliot relocated from Red Deer to Penticton in April, smackdab in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having lived in Kelowna previously, Okanagan life was nothing new for this family.

<who>Photo Credit: Dale Cory</who>Penticton Social Development Specialist Adam Goodwin

“This is my first time living in Penticton, but we’ve been here quite a bit and knew what to expect with the high quality of living, the quality of life, friendly people, and two lake fronts,” said Goodwin during a recent sit down in front of city hall. “It’s such a beautiful place and we really enjoy it. My colleagues and partners and members of the public I get to work with are super friendly and supportive. It’s only been a positive experience.”

When Goodwin took on his newly-created position of Social Development Specialist with the City of Penticton, he was thrown into the fire immediately.

“I started April 7, and the reason I started then was to come and help with the emergency operations centre. That was a big focus with my role, especially early on, helping the organization and community respond to COVID,” said Goodwin. “Older adults in isolation was a huge concern, so I worked with various organizations on how to respond to that."

Since moving to Phase 3, Goodwin’s focus has changed to more longer-term projects identified by staff and council when the position was created.

“I’m here to provide leadership and support for the social health and well being of the community. Right now, that’s kind of why I wake up in the morning. That’s what gets me out of bed and keeps me going each day,” said Goodwin. “I’m here to improve the community’s health and social well being with our partners, because they’re the ones that are delivering the great services.”

Now that his COVID-related duties with the EOC have curtailed, Goodwin can turn his attention to improving the social infrastructure in the community, which is why city council approved the position in its 2020 budget.

<who>Photo Credit: City of Penticton

“Right now some of the priorities we’re working on centre around long-term food security for everyone. Another priority is around becoming an age-friendly designated community,” advised Goodwin. “Obviously it’s a great place to live and retire and make it your home, so we want to make it an even better community. The Ministry of Health has an official designation program. The municipality is going to try and get that designation so we will be formally recognized.”

While long-term food security and an age-friendly designation are important, Goodwin is also looking with a keen eye toward homelessness, and the child care needs assessment.

<who>Photo Credit: City of Penticton

“Council has heard over the last few years and had lots of reports and presentations on the need for more child care,” advised Goodwin, who went before council July 7th to present his list of priorities. “We’ve secured some grants to hire more consultants to actually study it, and figure out the actual needs, how many spaces do we need, and how do we get there, as well as the action plan as a community.

“As a municipality, what role can we play in that.”

A survey is in the works.

Check back next week for details on the child care needs assessment.

In the meantime, you can find Goodwin’s social development report to council by clicking here.



Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to [email protected].




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