Okanagan Learning Foundation

05/25/2026

What an inspiring day in Vernon! ✨

Thanks to the Okanagan Learning Foundation, the drama and art students from Charles Bloom Secondary School were able to head into town for an unforgettable field trip filled with creativity and culture.

The group caught the incredible play at W.L. Seaton Secondary, explored the inspiring exhibits at the Vernon Public Art Gallery, and spent some time checking out local shops.

Field trips like this are so important for sparking inspiration and giving students hands-on experiences outside the classroom. 🎭🎨

Vernon Public Art Gallery
School District 22

05/22/2026

We are back and ready to share the 6th Food For Thought (FFT) pantry in our series!

This post is dedicated to the pantry at Vernon’s Alternate Learning Program and the incredible work of Shelley Henry.

Shelley has been a vital part of the Okanagan Learning Foundation since the very beginning.

She dedicated three years to running the pantry at W.L. Seaton and has continued her wonderful work at ALP, which offers individualized course programs for students in grades 8 through 12.

We also have some big news to share: Shelley is retiring at the end of this year.

Please join us in thanking Shelley for her years of dedication, heart, and hard work for our community's youth!

School District 22

05/05/2026

Since we can’t actually lower the thermostat outside, we’re throwing it back to February and the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) with Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon & District 🧊

CNOY is an annual, family-friendly fundraising walk held every February.

Our team loves attending this event as it aligns with the OKLF mission to ensure every student has the stability they need to succeed.

Just as the OKLF ensures students have food security, CNOY highlights the importance of safe, warm shelter.

Working together with likeminded community organizations like CMHA Vernon, OKLF aims to help create a stronger, more resilient community for everyone ✨

04/29/2026

There’s nothing quite like getting the whole team in one room to talk about the future of education and community support in the Okanagan! 🥰

In February, we wrapped up the Okanagan Learning Foundation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), and the energy in the room was truly inspiring.

Looking back on the past year, we are incredibly proud of the milestones we’ve reached together.

A huge thank you to our dedicated Board of Directors (pictured here with some very big post-meeting smiles) for their vision and heart.

We are walking into the rest of 2026 with a clear goal: to ensure every student and educator in our community has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive!

Want to get involved? Whether you’re looking to volunteer or donate, visit the link in our bio to see how you can help us turn these plans into reality 💕

04/22/2026

From a quiet meeting room at OKLF to a massive vision for change—this is how we turn climate anxiety into community action.

This , we’re thrilled to highlight the teachers from the CARE (Climate Action Ripple Effect) community-of-practice.

These photos capture a recent session in our office where local educators gathered to brainstorm, collaborate, and lead.

Every conversation held within these walls creates a ripple effect of environmental leadership, destined to inspire students across the entire Okanagan.

Thank you for your incredible dedication, CARE!

🌎🌱💚



Fresh Outlook Foundation

04/19/2026

It’s been a little quiet on our feed lately… but we couldn’t stay away from the incredible energy at the Elks Lodge last night 🎶

We are beyond grateful to Paul Boyd and his band for choosing us as their charity of choice, helping our community raise a fantastic $1,000 for the Okanagan Learning Foundation.

These funds will go directly toward supporting local secondary students, and we thank you for all your support 🙌

02/19/2026

At the Okanagan Learning Foundation, we believe that every student deserves the chance to thrive. 🍎

Founded in 2017, our mission is simple but vital: to support Okanagan secondary students and educators by creating the conditions they need for success.

As a CRA-accredited non-profit, we may be new to the world of grant funding, but we know firsthand what our schools need.

📸 OKLF Board Member Tracey presents a cheque to a team member at Healthy Essentials Clinic. We helped support their program for teens experiencing eating disorder challenges.



School District 22

02/14/2026

Valentine’s Day is usually a day for celebration, but this year, our hearts are heavy. 💔

As we reflect on the power of love and community, we are also mourning the tragic school shooting at Tumbler Ridge. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies go out to the students, families, and educators affected by this unimaginable loss.

Today, we hold our loved ones a little closer and stand in solidarity with our neighbors. Let’s lead with kindness and support one another through this difficult time.

02/13/2026

The Okanagan Learning Foundation extends our deepest sympathies to the community of Tumbler Ridge.

As an organization dedicated to supporting students and educators, we are saddened by the recent events at Tumbler Ridge Secondary. Our thoughts are with the families, the school district, and everyone impacted by this loss. 🕯️

For anyone in our own community needing support, please see the resources available below from Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon & District.

Like many across our region, we are holding heavy hearts as we process yesterday’s tragedy in Tumbler Ridge. Incidents of violence ripple far beyond the place where they occur. In the Interior of BC, we are more connected than distance might suggest, and when one community experiences tragedy, the weight of it is carried by us all. It is understandable if this news has stirred feelings of grief, fear, anger, or uncertainty. However you are feeling right now is valid.

We recognize that some members of our community may feel especially impacted, including those who have lived experience with violence or trauma, those who work in helping or emergency response roles, families with school aged children, and anyone who is feeling unsettled or overwhelmed by this news, please know that you are not alone.

If you are struggling, support is available. You can reach out to:
• Interior Crisis Line Network at 1-888-353-2273
• The BC Mental Health Support Line at 310-6789 (no area code needed)
• 9-8-8 through phone call or text

In times like these, we encourage you to choose connection over fear, and community over isolation. Love, compassion, and connection are stronger than fear. When we reach out, listen deeply, and hold space for one another’s pain, we strengthen the bonds that make our community resilient.

02/11/2026

For the final stop in our Food For Thought Pantry series, we are heading to Lumby to visit the incredible team at Charles Bloom Secondary School!

A program is only as strong as the people who lead it, and at Bloom, we are lucky to have Bonnie Masterd and Kim Varden at the helm.

Bonnie and Kim are more than just coordinators; they have built the most amazing relationships with the students they support.

In a small, vibrant community like Lumby, the school pantry becomes a hub of connection. Because of their warmth and dedication, students don't just find a snack—they find a safe space and a supportive ear.

Thank you, Bonnie and Kim, for the heart and soul you pour into the Charles Bloom community every single day. You truly embody what the Okanagan Learning Foundation is all about! 💙❤️