In December of 2010, the EOCF purchased the land and building of the former Native Friendship Centre and completely renovated it to serve as Inner City High School's new home. Since 2010, the EOCF has helped with operating costs, capital maintenance and renewal for ICH and maintained an excellent working relationship. The EOCF also provides annual scholarships to any graduate of ICH wishing to pursue post-secondary education.
"We are extremely excited to make this donation to our friends at Inner City High School. It gives them independence and creates a self-sustaining model that will continue to instill positive change in Edmonton's inner city youth for years to come," said Janet Riopel, EOCF Board Chair. "The success ICH and the ICYDA have been able to achieve throughout our longstanding partnership is truly remarkable, and we look forward to seeing them create a bright future for Edmonton's most marginalized youth."
The Edmonton Oilers have also played an important role in supporting ICH, highlighted by the annual Christmas luncheon where Oilers players attend and share a meal with ICH students and staff. The EOCF has also been providing financial support to ICH from the net proceeds of the in-building 50/50 held at Rogers Place and, most recently, the record-setting online 50/50 program, totaling more than $2.1 million in additional support for the ICYDA. The EOCF will also provide two additional years of operational support to assist ICH with the transition of independence.
"ICH has benefited greatly from the support of EOCF, helping create education and community for Edmonton's marginalized youth," said Joe Cloutier, ICYDA Chief Operating Officer. "We are extremely grateful to the EOCF who provided us a home and helped create ICH, after the Boyle Street Community League was demolished after 17 years and many inner city youth were left with nowhere to go. We had a 10-year agreement with the EOCF and now that the 10 years is up, we are looking forward to our continued work with Edmonton's marginalized urban youth. This gracious donation from the EOCF allows the ICYDA to provide Edmonton's marginalized urban youth with preventative social service and educational programming for years to come."
