POSITIVE CHEER
Clifford Street Youth Centre launches Christmas initiative
Clifford Street Youth Centre launches Christmas initiative.
The Clifford Street Youth Centre is spreading holiday cheer with activities for children on the Northside.
The centre, through funding from a Mental Heath Association of Nova Scotia grant worth $4,000, recently launched a Christmas initiative aimed at positive and community thinking.
Programing will include many initiatives including Christmas rock painting, crafting and delivering Christmas cards in support of self-care and wellness for the season, a light up tour, and projects which take on acts of kindness, caroling and visiting.
Rebecca Walker, staff member at the youth centre, said the centre bases most programs on the needs of children.
“Over the last few years we’ve noticed a strong need in the area
of mental wellness with a lot of children suffering from anxiety to the point of missing school regularly,” she said. “Poverty in particular has important implications for mental health and it becomes particularly difficult during the holiday season with more children worrying about Christmas.”
Walker sees many changes in children as the holidays approach. “Immediately after Halloween is over, there’s a lot of high stress, a lot of anxiety,” said Walker. “It’s one of those things where we try to get them out there and give back to the community and be more aware that there is more out there.”
During the winter months, about 30 to 40 children attend the Clifford Street Youth Centre each day. Overall, more than 100 children from the community visit the location, ranging from age three to teenagers.
The children will soon begin making the special cards and will deliver them to community members prior to Dec. 25.
“It’s giving back to the community and trying to get them, and the community, focused more on being positive and positive thinking,” said Walker.
“We want children to feel supported, and also connected with others through shared experiences and giving back, and that’s just what this project is doing.”
Last year, Walker said community groups reached out to the youth centre wanting the children to visit various locations.
“We’re still organizing a couple of trips this year for visits and caroling, but if anybody wants the children to visit their location, all they have to do is email the youth centre.”
The youth centre is also planning other activities to support children such as the annual Christmas Eve party. Walker said plans for that event are underway, however, no date has been confirmed.
Anyone interested in connecting with the youth centre to arrange a location and time for caroling, contact the centre through email at Rebecca@cliffordstreetyouthcentre.com.