Youth Centre, Alberta

 Youth Centre in a northern community

Today was our last day we spent with the people of a reserve in northern Alberta,  after our almost two week long visit there.


We started our day at the Youth  Centre which was like the second home to us for our stay at this northern Reserve.

We sat around in a circle, much like the indigenous people do and took turn sharing our impressions about this trip.

We came as a group of strangers; but are leaving knowing a little bit more and gaining a greater appreciation of each other and the aboriginal cultures and the people.

P., our host and a the local volunteer for the youth programs has done a lot to make our trip there such a positive and pheasant experience.

Many remote small communities in Canada have few employment opportunity and recreational activities for their residents.

The youth volunteer has such a burden for the young people in this northern community. He is working full time while running some quality programs to attract high school students and young people to the centre so that they would have some meaningful after school activities to occupy their time.

A favorite place for the young people at the Youth Centre - A fitness room

Interested in athletic activities himself, P. worked hard and got help to start a fitness room at the Youth Centre. He is there two to three evenings a week from around 4pm - 7pm working with the youth.



The Youth Centre is a happy place for the young people indeed!


 The staff tried to create a happy welcoming place for them.  Many positive messages were posted on the walls of the centre.







The Youth Centre is a vital part of this northern Reserve as it provides opportunities and a safe place for local youths to hang out, get together, play sports, and get some of the teenage's energy out of their systems.   Or they can be with their friends, just sit, talk to each other or play some games.

The Youth Centre is well equipped with a spacious kitchen.

The Centre staff is busy and provides the children and youth who take part in the program with nutritious food to eat. Tonight - our last night at this reserve, the organizers put together a special dinner for us and invited the youth to take part and experience something different.

 I am sure that many parents of these youngsters really appreciate what this volunteer youth worker has been doing for the past few years. He has established excellent rapport with them and earn their respect and trust. A committed and dedicated Christian, full of love for the aboriginal people, P. has given much if his time and his life to this community. He has become a friend to many of the families and young people in this northern community.

We pray fervently that God will bless and use P.'s sports ministry at the Youth Community Centre and his work in northern community!

R.T.
Alberta
Week of May 16, 2016