A safe place when they need it most
McMan’s Youthopia opens, offering not just a place to stay but a place to grow
A utopia for youth who need a home — it’s what members of the public got to see Tuesday with the official open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony for “Youthopia.”
“There are a lot of youth in Medicine Hat who struggle to find a safe living environment,” said Kaitlyn Affleck, 17, one of the youth assisted through the new program. Not just a safe environment — but one that lets the youth focus on schooling, a job and just “building your life,” she said.
This is where McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association’s Youthopia project comes into play. The recently renovated, 11-unit apartment building on Second Street SE, is specifically meant as a place where otherwise homeless youth can have their own unit. The building is monitored at all times, while McMan’s Youth Outreach/Hub office is located there, alongside the mobile addictions/outreach support program. Two resident advisers live in the building.
“The youth hub is a really good environment,” said Samantha Renwick, 18, another youth living in the complex, praising the support offered by McMan to youth like herself.
“McMan helps a lot with organizing, budget, shopping, helping you get a place of your own,” said Renwick, adding that it’s due to McMan’s programming that over the past two years she’s always had a place to live, food, and people to help advocate for her beyond just friends and family.
“They’re always there for support if you need them. The overall support of the workers is great,” said Affleck.
For Affleck, the best part of being with Youthopia is the opportunity to focus on her education — both she and Renwick hope to pursue postsecondary education.
Affleck added that the youth pick up other skill sets while part of Youthopia — such as budgeting and employment skills.
“Basically, everyday skills that youth tend to struggle with when they move out on their own,” she said. While seeking help can be hard, both Affleck and Renwick encouraged any struggling youth in the community to drop by the hub — open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — and speak with the support workers.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, McMan’s interim executive director Leah Schmidt thanked the numerous local businesses to have come forward in support of the project — helping to provide furnishings for each unit, window coverings, supplies and more.
“This building will continue to evolve,” said Schmidt, adding that a recreation room is also in the works.
“They’re always there for support if you need them.” – Kaitlyn Affleck, teen being assisted by McMan’s Youthopia program