Kyle and Leanne Young have taken the reins at Youth Unlimited, and are now in the midst of setting up a youth centre at 2 Victoria St. in Haliburton.
They’re calling it the Building the Bridge Youth Centre and said a Nov. 9 fundraising concert will help their not-for-profit.
Leanne grew up in Haliburton for 14 years, until moving out west at 19 to get her degree in youth ministry. She and Kyle then spent the next 10 years working at a youth centre in Moose Jaw supporting at-risk youth.
“If you have grown up here, or raised kids here, you know that as wonderful as Haliburton is to raise a family, there’s also a lot of limitations living in a rural community. There are fewer recreational opportunities for kids, and economic and social barriers that come with living in rural Ontario,” Leanne said.
“One thing Kyle and I have noticed is there’s a lack of places for youth to go after school if they want to just hang out with friends.” She said that’s important for teens, but can be hard when they come from across the County. She said she recently observed some junior high school boys debating where to go after school, picking the library over the park due to poor weather.
She said it’s important for kids to know who they are, where they belong, and what their purpose is. She added trying to answer these questions can leave youth struggling with their mental health.
The Youngs think a centre could help with that.
Youth Unlimited has been in Haliburton County for the past 17 years, but hasn’t had a building for the past seven and there’s been leadership changes in the past five. They were able to lease 2 Victoria St. in August. They’d like to open Mondays and Thursdays after school starting mid-November. They will be encouraging Grade 6 to 12 students to drop in. They currently offer gym nights once a month for those grades at the high school.
With the Youth Hub on Dysart Ave., Leanne said they get asked how they are different. She said the hub offers clinical resources to help youth with their physical and mental wellbeing, something Youth Unlimited is not equipped to offer. “And they are already at full capacity for their drop-in hours,” she said of the need for another space.
They plan to host more recreational and social programs. “We’re really excited to be able to open the doors… to invite youth in after-school to a warm and safe place where they can hang out with their peers, connect with adult mentors, and learn some fun skills, such as cooking, baking, art, sports, wood working and eat good food.” They’re next to the park and its basketball court, and outdoor rink, and are working to restore the commercial kitchen once used by SIRCH.
“Our hope is to be another resource for youth because one youth centre isn’t able to support all the youth in Haliburton County.
“If you are ever in town from 3-4 p.m., you will see the herds of youth flocking to the park and to the downtown core.
“In the colder months, hanging outside becomes much less appealing and convenient.”
The Concert
Building the Bridge Youth Centre Saturday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m. at 9 Park St. Featuring Drew Allen and Karen Frybort, Ella Gooley and Up River Draw. Loonie auction, fresh baking, local maple syrup. $20 per person or $50 per family at yfc.ca/haliburton-highlands/concert-tickets. For more go to yfc.ca/haliburton-highlands.
