Youth had a busy year in Stratford

Young residents help with Housing First Program and sponsored family in Christmas Angel Program

2017 was a banner year for youth in Stratford.

The town reports that the Stratford Youth Centre had 54 members, including 17 who sat on the town’s youth council.

In total, these youth contributed to 1,552.75 volunteer hours through projects at the Stratford Youth Centre and in the community.

The youth centre provides those in grades 5 to 12 a safe, supportive environment to participate in social and recreational activities and is designed to promote leadership and engage the participating youth to participate in community activities. The youth council is made up of older members in grades 8 to 12 who help organize and help with additional projects as well as the activities of the centre.

Of the total volunteer hours, the youth council members were responsible for more than 65 per cent.

In December, members of the youth centre helped with the Housing First Program by collecting and donating items which will be provided to homeless individuals in P.E.I. 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 in P.E.I. to better their lives.

Members of the 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 youth council sponsored a family through Glen Stewart Primary School’s Christmas Angel Program and provided $1,200 worth of support to a family in need at Christmas, which included clothing, toys, stocking stuffers and food gift certificates.

Members also helped out by serving meals at the seniors’ Christmas dinner and at the town’s children’s Christmas party.

The youth also participated in events throughout the year, including Stratford Winter FamFest, Bowl for Kids Sake, community roadside and beach cleanups, Stratford and Area Food Drive, the community flea market among others.

The 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, the 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,’’ said Jaden Bulger, a youth council member. “We’ve also been able to use hard work to help others and that has felt great for all of us.

“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 nice to learn more about them.’’

The youth centre continues to welcome new members in grades 5 to 12 as well as adult volunteers.

There is no cost to be a youth member but youth are asked to volunteer to help with youth centre activities and projects through the year.

For more information, call 902-367-3294 or email dpineau@townofstratford.ca.