Rotary Youth fundraiser PAGE A3
Friday, March 21, 2014
training pays off PAGE A8
VOL. 100 NO. 58
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figureskater finishes on top PAGE A13
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Youth Centre closing
SD28 looking for alternatives AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter They push their way into the door, a flurry of wet sneakers and neon hoodies. “There they are,” Uwe Beuschel says, his smile reaching his eyes as he greets each one by name. Coats and shoes are quickly removed before they hurry their way into the gymnasium where a impromptu game of floor hockey is already underway. Beuschel settles back into the printed couch, sighs and claps his hands in front of him. “This is a safe place for him,” he said, as cheers erupt from the gym. “It takes a long time to gain that trust and even longer for them to feel they belong.” Beuschel is referencing the youth program at Helen Dixon Centre, running, free of charge, for 10 years to anyone ages 11 – 18. March 27 is its last day of operation.
“How long before another program?” he questions, scanning the bright room, its walls decorated in quotes. “I’m worried that in between, some will fall through the cracks.” The centre, a partnership between School District 28 and the city, runs three days a week, after school until 5:30 p.m. Students can choose to burn energy in the gym, do homework at one of the stations, or simply “chill” as one student aptly put it. Beuschel also ensures there’s some sort of snack provided – juice, peanut-butter and jam sandwiches; nothing fancy, just a bit of sustenance to ease that time between after school and dinner. A late item to city council, from SD28’s board of education, explains recent revision of the centre found the level of subsidy the district provides to the program is “not sustainable.” It further states decreased contributions
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Nick Stultz says he’ll miss “everything” about the Youth Centre. Autumn MacDonald photo
to the centre and changes to sub-regional recreation (most notably, the fact the centre is no longer supported by this function.) The correspondence to mayor and council also states “we feel the program is not delivering value to the youth of Quesnel and district area. Further, we believe the city’s contribution could be utilized in a different format that would better address the needs of the vulnerable youth in our community. We would
be prepared to meet and discuss alternative service delivery models.” It also points to: “the program currently serving only 10 students.” To this, Beuschel shakes his head once, firmly. “That’s not true,” he said, as another older boy ambles his way into the centre. “Watch out for the littler ones in there,” Beuschel says as the boy heads towards the gym, lifts his head in Beuschel’s direction, and answers: “you got it.”
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“We have a core group of 25 here,” Beuschel continues. “They rely on it.” “The timing is unfortunate for our community, as youth are one of the focus points for the social service committee that is meeting to deal with the mill closure,” Coun. and acting mayor Laurey-Anne Roodenburg said. “Council wants to work with the school district in making the best use of the facilities and funding
that is available to meet the needs of youth in our community.” But it’s the meantime Beuschel worries about. “What will they do until then?” he asked. For Nick Stultz he’ll just go back to “nothing.” “I just sat at home,” he said, gripping the plastic hockey stick across his lap. “I guess that’s what I’ll do again.” A slim, soft-spoken boy nods his head in agreement. “Once it closes?” he muses, “I don’t know. I guess… I guess I’ll just head home.” And that’s exactly what Beuschel doesn’t want to see happen – disengagement. RCMP Cst. and youth liaison Krista Vrolyk agrees. “Any positive activities reduce negative possibilities,” she said. “I’m not too sure what these youth will do, or go.” The Centre’s last day of operation is Thursday.
Please join us at the
Annual Awards Gala Saturday, April 5
Quesnel Seniors’ Centre Cocktails 5:15 pm Dinner 6:00 pm
Tickets $50 each
You can pick up tickets at Carvers Clothing Co, Sun Life Financial, or by calling Cathy at 747-1739 or emailing qcf@shaw.ca.