Council here has approved a $1,000 contribution toward programming for youth centres in the municipality.
Pat Savage of Harriston, regional director of YFC/Youth Unlimited, appeared before council at the June 5 meeting to request the donation, along with a $500 facility rental credit the town has also provided in recent years.
The facility credit, he noted, would be used for the organization’s fall fundraising banquet, which raises between $5,000 and $8,000 for the centre annually.
Savage told council hundreds of local youths have gone through youth centre programs over the past 13 years and “we have helped many to find their hope and potential.”
The program’s local operating budget for the current fiscal year is roughly $102,000, which Savage said is raised through donations from individuals, businesses, churches and fundraisers.
“We have been supported by the town for 11 of our 13 years,” stated Savage, adding, the group is “thankful that the Town of Minto has helped us bring hope to teens as they navigate these difficult years. Your gift says ‘you matter’ to Minto’s teens.”
Since its establishment in September of 2000, the youth centre has provided activities and services for local youths at a number of venues, including local schools.
YFC/Youth Unlimited currently operates a youth centre in Harriston and a mobile unit that provides after-school programing in Palmerston.
Savage noted the organization established a youth centre program in Clifford, which is now operated by a local church group.
“We appreciate the fact you are out there doing this service,” said Mayor George Bridge.
“Teenagers go through a lot of stress these days and they’ve got a lot of different directions they get pushed into.”
For more information on YFC/Youth Unlimited go to yfcminto.com.
