The Delta Foundation’s Sandel Fund and the Wintemute Fund have provided $5,500 to support the Youth Nights program at the Wintemute Boys and Girls Club in Ladner.
Respecting and honouring youth, their voices and opinions, and giving them a place to belong, recognizes that adolescent years can be a challenging time.
The Youth Nights program addresses this need and equips participants with self-esteem and skills to navigate the transition to young adulthood.
The long-term goal is to reduce gang involvement, theft, violence, safety concerns and vandalism which will in turn reduce the cycle of abuse and the need for other health services such as detox, residential treatments, and outpatient treatments.
Trained staff and volunteers run the Youth Nights programs. They provide youth with a safe, engaging, positive place to participate in programs for preteens and teens so they can develop positive relationships with peers and adults, helping decrease the feelings of isolation, abandonment and depression that often lead to negative behaviours
The program includes social recreation activities that encourage youth to move towards a healthier lifestyle; sports-based activities such as basketball, volleyball, yoga, hip hop dance and floor hockey; educational activities such as discussion groups, drug awareness, internet safety, body awareness and nutrition; and leadership activities such as community service projects.
