Fresh Flavours, Bright Futures
One summer job, big lessons for the future for youth in New Denver.
When Solana Penner joined programs at New Denver’s Outlet Youth Centre at age 12, she was looking for activities and opportunities to connect with other young people. Years later, she was helping run the Pop-up Salad Bar at the local farmers’ market, gaining hands-on experience in customer service, food handling, teamwork and responsibility.
Through community youth networks across the Columbia Basin, young people build practical skills, explore new interests and gain confidence through real-world experiences.
For Penner, working at the salad bar was more than a summer job. “At a young age, it taught me responsibility, time management and professionalism,” she says.
