Facebook group boosts & supports local youth having a difficult time

“I started the group with intentions of helping children that are struggling for different reasons. Whether it be bullying, mental illness, or loss of a family member in hopes of helping them and giving them that boost,” Poelzer told Chat News.

She adds it is all different age groups from two to 17-year-olds. The online interaction starts with a private message and they go from there with putting together and delivering a gift basket.

Thanks to the community, there have also been donations for the gift baskets from S.A.C.A Kickboxing with a free month membership. Many hairstylists have also donated their services.

“We’re seeing a lot more kids that are older between the ages of 11 and 16. So we’ll put painting supplies, art scrapbooks, treats, and we ask the parents what their interests are and we gear the basket towards that age.”

As far as mental health, resources are also given in the baskets, and if there are issues like bullying, it is brought up with the local school division.

Poelzer says she has four kids, they are a blended family, and that’s how the group originated.

“We’re separated and I know my boys had struggles that way and I know my step kids did as well and so that’s what kind of originated the group to try and help other kids that were struggling through that.”

Love Is Louder started before the pandemic and COVID-19 put things on hold for a little while.

Before COVID, Poelzer and the group was working with child and family services, the women’s shelter, and directly with individual schools.

It has been a bit limited, but they have been able to run for the last three months.

Poelzer says now they are working with the Redcliff Youth Centre, Be YOUth in Medicine Hat, and the shelters.

The Love Is Louder private Facebook group can be found by visiting this link.

by Chantal Wagner

Facebook group boosts & supports local youth having a difficult time

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