For Immediate Release: January 23, 2018
2017 was another year of growth for the Stratford Youth Centre with 54 members, including 17 who sat on the Stratford Youth Council. In total these youth contributed 1552.75 volunteer hours through projects at the Stratford Youth Centre and in the community.
The Stratford Youth Centre provides youth in grades 5-12 a safe, supportive environment to participate in social and recreation activities and is designed to promote leadership and engage the participating youth to participate in community activities. The Stratford Youth Council is made up of older members in grades 8-12 who help organize and assist with additional projects as well as the activities of the centre. Of the total volunteer hours, the Youth Council members were responsible for over 65%.
"The dedication these youth are showing in our community is tremendous," commented Stratford Mayor David Dunphy. "They are learning valuable skills that will help them as they continue out into the community and become lifelong volunteers."
In December members of the Stratford Youth Centre helped with the Housing First Program by collecting and donating items which will be provided to homeless individuals on PEI. This program is an initiative of the Canadian Mental Health Association and focuses on finding affordable housing as well as providing tools for people who are homeless on PEI to better their lives. Members of the Stratford Youth Centre fundraised and were able to purchase $300 worth of personal care items and gift cards which were donated along with an assortment of other items collected from the community.
Also in December, the Stratford Youth Council sponsored a family through Glen Stewart Primary School's Christmas Angel Program and provided $1200 worth of support to a family in need at Christmas, which included purchasing clothing, toys, stocking stuffers and food gift certificates. Members also helped out by serving meals at the Seniors Christmas Dinner and at the Town of Stratford's Children's Christmas Party.
In addition to these, the youth participated in events throughout the year including Stratford Winter FamFest, Bowl for Kids Sake, community roadside and beach cleanups, Stratford and Area Food Drive, and the community flea market, among others. The Stratford Youth Council organized some other great events of their own including a youth dance, prom dress sale, walk-a-thon, and online fundraising auction. In addition to these community events, the Stratford Youth Council was able to raise $10,000 to participate in a week long national Leadership Tour with other youth, visiting Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa and Toronto.
"It's great helping youth have a say in what goes on in our community. We've also been able to use hard work to help others and that has felt great for all of us," said Stratford Youth Council member Jaden Bulger. "Being able to go on a trip that we fundraised and worked hard for was amazing. We learned so much and for quite a few of us, it was our first time in those provinces. It was so nice to learn more about them."
"On behalf of council and all residents of Stratford I congratulate the youth on their successful year," added Dunphy. "We look forward to seeing what they can do in 2018."
The Stratford Youth Centre continues to welcome new members in grades 5-12 as well as adult volunteers. There is no cost to be a youth member however youth are asked to volunteer to help with youth centre activities and projects throughout the year. For more information on the youth centre please contact (902) 367-3294 or [email protected].
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For more information please contact:
Wendy Watts, Community Engagement Coordinator
Town of Stratford
T: (902) 569-1995
E: [email protected]