By Stan Ashbee
It’s important to recognize youth in our communities are doing some really great things.
International Youth Day is being celebrated Aug. 12 throughout the world. Locally, Family and Community Support Services celebrates youth and offers youth services throughout the region, which includes Lethbridge County, the County of Warner and the M.D. of Taber.
“We have programs for youth to get them engaged in their community through volunteerism and leadership and to promote social connection with peers, as well as learn skills to help transition towards adulthood,” says Kaitlynn Weaver from FCSS. “And just get them prepared for life after high school.”
The reason days like International Youth Day are important to celebrate is to recognize youth are active participants in their communities and are valued members of the community, adds Weaver.
“It’s good to promote empathy for youth and recognize their accomplishments and achievements thus far and to get them on a good path for moving forward into adulthood,” says Weaver.
At FCSS, Weaver notes, youth are provided opportunities to connect with peers and adults who could help mentor and “see their worth and value.”
“Every FCSS youth program is a celebration of youth,” says Weaver.
This summer, FCSS offers Youth Camps in Coalhurst and Nobleford, to provide youth with an opportunity to hang out with one another and to connect with staff.
“All of whom are youth themselves. The Government of Canada says it is up to 30 years old. We have young staff who work with youth and are able to connect with them and understand what they’re going through,” says Weaver.
Youth also have opportunities to volunteer for municipal events in communities FCSS serves, including Youth Do Crew groups participating in local parades.
“Summer Fest in Coaldale and Miners Days in Coalhurst is coming up. In Coalhurst, they’re judging the parade floats, which is great. Just recently, at Coalhurst’s Canada Day, we had a local youth be the MC for the event,” notes Weaver. “I think FCSS has been contributing a lot to the promotion of youth awareness, as well as youth engagement.”
Youth decorate cookies in Taber to benefit FCSS seniors’ programs.