A group of community and corporate leaders have developed a steering committee in Swift Current with the hopes of developing a community youth initiative out of the soon-to-be opened Youth Centre located on 1st Avenue NE (previously Dooly’s). The Initiative will focus on youth aged 11-24 and will have three visible characteristics: visible in the community, initiate contact with youth, and available when needed. This community initiative would provide youth counselling and support services. It would offer emergency assistance and serve to build strong relationships between City youth and the community.
“We have a number of service ideas we would like to offer our youth,” says Sally Wiens. “The staff would be visible to youth in areas they typically convene. We would offer counseling services for youth, parents, and families. We would offer in-reach programming such as lunch and after-school programs, special events, and emergency services such as finding shelter where needed.”
The Initiative is truly a community endeavor that involves people from businesses, schools, the RCMP, City of Swift Current, Cypress Health District, service clubs, churches and several community organizations such as Salvation Army, Southwest Crisis Services and Fresh Start.
“We are able to bring this initiative to life thanks to the gracious support of Innovation Credit Union,” says Kevin Snyder. Innovation Credit Union is proud to support the youth counselling program and have committed $50,000 total investment to be paid in 2 annual installments.
“The purpose of this steering committee is to add another dimension of services to the proposed Youth Centre. We believe we can do that by partnering together as a community” says Kevin Snyder. We welcome any interest and assistance from local businesses, community groups, and individuals who are looking to volunteer, assist with fundraising, or become a corporate donor. We already have some major corporate sponsors who have made a commitment to this project. We can’t thank them enough for the impact they’re going to have on Swift Current.”
The next step in the initiative is to hire a Director to coordinate programming and staff. The steering committee will make a public announcement when the position has been filled.
For additional details on the Youth Outreach Initiative, please contact:
Kevin Snyder - 773-4889
Sally Wiens - 773-8168 |
