Provincial funding for seven youth centres

GLACE BAY — Nova Scotia has announced $700,000 in funding for mental wellness programs at seven youth centres across the province.

Brian Comer, provincial minister responsible for youth, announced the funding on Friday at the Undercurrent Youth Centre in Glace Bay. The seven centres are receiving a one-time cash injection to support programming for at-risk youth, including youth experiencing homelessness.

“Many of these centres serve as a lifeline to youth in the province,” Comer said in a news release. “These centres and the programs they offer help youth overcome challenges, which we know have been compounded by the social and economic impacts of the pandemic.”

Centres receiving funding include the Undercurrent Youth Centre in Glace Bay; The Portal Youth Outreach Association in Kentville; Pictou County Roots for Youth in New Glasgow; LOVE Nova Scotia in Halifax, Sipekne’katik and Membertou; Supporting Housing Youth Focus Team in Yarmouth; BGC Cape Breton in Sydney and Clifford Street Youth Centre in North Sydney.

The centres each provide a range of programs, including creative expression, healthy relationships and group discussion, and supports such as temporary housing, harm reduction and employment support.

“Having safe space, positive mentors, healthy activities and a community of friends are all part of creating a thriving community for youth,” said Undercurrent Youth

Centre director David Sawler. “For some youth, there may be one, or many, of these pieces missing. Our centres, and many others across the province, are filling in the gaps by addressing poverty and stigma and giving value and opportunity to every young person that walks in our doors.”