Why paying a Living Wage matters at Active Care Youth & Adult Services

In this short blog, Amanda Arkesteyn, HR Director from Active Care Youth & Adult Services explains why they became a Living Wage Employer, and the benefits they’ve found from being part of the program.

At Active Care Youth & Adult Services, we provide trauma-informed, person-centred care to youth and adults. Our work is rooted in compassion, education, and respect. Based in Kamloops and serving Vernon, Kelowna, and Terrace, our team of 314 employees brings our vision, mission, values, and DEI principles to life every day.

We have proudly been a Living Wage Employer since 2021 and continue to prioritize work-life balance, professional growth, and a culture where every team member feels valued and supported. When our team thrives, so do the clients and communities we serve.

Since becoming a Living Wage Employer, we’ve noticed real, positive changes in our workplace. By reducing financial stress, offering generous benefits, a pension plan, extensive training, growth opportunities, and fostering a supportive environment, we’ve seen stronger retention and a more engaged team—because when our people feel valued, they can make an even greater impact.

Paying a Living Wage doesn’t just benefit our team, it strengthens the local economy and helps families thrive. We’re proud to be part of a movement that’s making a difference across Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon and Terrace. We have committed to being a supportive community member by giving charitably, education ourselves and others, and consistently advocating for positive change.

We encourage others to join us in becoming Living Wage Employers. Together, we can create a fairer, more sustainable future for everyone.

Certifying as a Living Wage Employer is a voluntary commitment employers make to invest in their communities and local economies. There are now over 500 Living Wage Employers across BC.

The living wage is the hourly amount someone needs to earn to pay for essentials like food and rent, it doesn’t include paying off debt or saving for retirement. The Living Wage for Kamloops, Kelowna, Terrace and Vernon are now $24.45, $25.95, $27.97, and $24.10 an hour respectively.

Find out more about Active Care Youth & Adult Services on their website: https://activecareservices.ca/