North Wellington Youth Spotlight focuses on positive stories about young people in local communities. The features are provided by Erin Raftis, municipal youth intern for Minto, Mapleton, and Wellington North – #positivityFromYouthForYouth.
MINTO – Desirae Yeo-Ellis, a 16-year-old from Harriston, is an active member of her community, serving as a student leader at Tribe Youth at the Crossroads Life Church.
Yeo-Ellis explains “at Tribe, I serve and volunteer in various areas every week making sure that whatever needs to be done is completed.”
Some of her roles include preparing snacks, setting up games, lights, and sign in. The youth works as a student leader filling the same position as an adult leader, however, she is “still a youth” and therefore considered a student leader.
Desirae states her motivation can be attributed to the leaders and their youth pastor who “walks with me through some of life’s toughest moments.
“Since going to Tribe, I feel my relationship with my parents has become more trustworthy and open,” she adds.
The youth plans to complete high school at Norwell District Secondary School and then attend Bible college in Portland, Oregon, or through online courses.
After college, she hopes to become a youth pastor or lead pastor at a church and “continue leading others as [she] is now.”
Aspires to travel
She also aspires to travel across Canada and around the world “on missions trips and for fun to learn more about other countries and their cultures, as well as share the word of God in a positive and life-changing way.”
Yeo-Ellis is excited to share that Tribe is a Christian Youth Group, open to those aged 12 to 18, that meets every Wednesday at the Crossroads Life Church in Harriston at 7:30pm.
She explains that, “Wednesday’s consist of fun games, amazing food, hearing God’s word and hanging out with some cool people.
“At Tribe, we want you to have a fun and memorable time. We are always open to new people and would love to meet you.”
