Hamilton’s Liberty for Youth faces new challenges during pandemic
Since founding Hamilton’s Liberty for Youth in 2004, executive director Frederick Dryden has played a hands-on role delivering prevention and intervention mentoring programs for at-risk youth aged 12 to 25.
Today the not-for-profit charitable organization is rising to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic by finding innovative ways to connect with the community.
Liberty for Youth has retrofitted its four minivans by removing the centre seats and installing Plexiglas shields, for one-on-one community youth mentoring, at a safe physical distance.
As Dryden and Liberty Youth executive assistant Melanie Kowalyshyn explain, Hamilton’s at-risk youth are dealing with challenges they’ve never faced before. Mental health issues, social isolation and suicidal thoughts are all on the rise. During the pandemic, Liberty for Youth staff have noticed an increase in youth alcoholism and drug use.
At the same time, due to COVID-19, the organization has had to cancel major fundraising events, such as its annual gala at Carmen’s Banquet Centre that usually draws 800 guests.
Fundraising accounts for 41 per cent of Liberty for Youth’s income. Thankfully, with a grant of $20,000 from the Hamilton Community Foundation, the impact on programming isn’t as severe as it might have been.
The way Dryden sees it, as at-risk youth navigate the pandemic, they can either dwell in crisis mode or move toward creativity.
“If you have three or four siblings in your home, you can learn how to cut their hair,” he said. “Maybe consider a scholarship for hairdressing school.”
While face-to-face contact isn’t always possible right now, Dryden said virtual services are helping Liberty for Youth keep tabs on those who rely on its services.
“A lot of youth we work with, they’re not necessarily in the best place at home,” said Dryden. “We have to visually see them so we will understand if they’re really OK.”
As a replacement for its usual summer basketball fundraiser, Liberty for Youth is offering a Liberty and Justice Virtual Basketball Event.
“We’re asking some of our donors to consider making their regular annual sponsorship,” said Kowalyshyn.
Funds raised through the virtual event will be directed to a special pandemic fund to help youth with immediate needs, Kowalyshyn added. Through a partnership with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board and the Hamilton Community Foundation, Liberty for Youth hopes to reduce the technological gap that might be preventing youth from accessing its services or bettering their educational or employment opportunities.
“We’re trying to get laptops and educational devices to youth to make sure all of the youth have access,” said Dryden. “So that’s one (of) the key parts of our pandemic funding.”
The Liberty and Justice Virtual Basketball Event is being offered through the organization’s official YouTube channel on Saturday, June 6 from 8-9 p.m. Hosted by CHCH News sportscaster Clint “Bubba” O’Neil, the event will include a basketball dunk contest, skills competition and a youth versus Hamilton Police basketball “game.”
Special guest referee, Ron Foxcroft of Fox 40 and Fluke Transport, is also taking part. The dunk contest and skills competition will feature youth from across Ontario. Prizes will be awarded, such as athletic gear, gift cards and merchandise donated by the Toronto Raptors.
See www.libertyforyouth.org for more information.