Local youth centre facing closure due to lack of funding

The Be Youth Center offers many programs including free meals and life-skill coaching and is an organization that Brandi Thomas wants to keep open for her son.

“So Hayden had come home one day a couple weeks ago and said that the Be Youth center was closing down and I’m like, ‘that can’t be it’s been running for a long time,” Thomas says.

She adds, “so I decided to come in next time I dropped him off and I talked with them and they said ‘yeah it’s gonna be closing down at the end of June’ and I’m like ‘that can’t happen, Hayden is thriving here.”

Thomas created a GoFundMe in hopes of saving the centre.

While the goal is set at $20,000, Thomas says small donations of five or ten dollars can make a difference.

She says Be Youth has helped her son with his mental health, because it offers a safe and judge-free environment.

And Thomas recognizes the centre benefits the entire community.

“Kids need something to do, they need people to hang out with. This is a safe place, they can be themselves, they can make friends and everyone’s welcome.”

Co-executive director of the centre Brittanie Bruder says she loves helping children improve their mental health, and she expressed her disappointment over the closure.

“These youth are ultimately our future, and a lot of them are struggling a lot right now. So just come together as a community and support the kids,” she says.

Co-executive director Maddy Thurrott echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the center’s dedication to providing a safe and welcoming space for kids.

“We always do a check-in with every kid that comes in, so if they need to talk, we always have that opportunity for them, and they just get to be themselves. I love watching them grow and learn,” she explains.

As the centre’s closure date draws near, the community is rallying together to ensure that it remains a valuable resource for local youth.

Thomas is also organizing comedy shows May 19 and June 2 to raise funds.

“I really want this place to stay open. It’s helped my son, it’s helped numerous other parents who have messaged me. We need to donate, we need to raise money. So please please please, share, buy comedy tickets,” she says.

A link to the GoFundMe can be found here.

by Lisa Parent

Local youth centre facing closure due to lack of funding

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