Alex Anderson, manager of outreach for Sea to Sky Community Services, takes a seat at a table in the Squamish Youth Resource Centre. To her right, three teens – two boys and one girl – sit chatting and glancing at their cellphones. Meanwhile, two teenaged boys play pool and tease each other jovially about their lack of skill at billiards.
Anderson is smiling and upbeat even though it’s late Friday afternoon heading into one of the busiest weeks for the centre.
May 1 to 7 is Youth Week in Squamish, when many youth-centred activities are planned.
Since Anderson started as manager in February, one of her main goals has been to reach youth in the community who have never come to the centre, she said.
The Youth Week Skate Jam competition on Wednesday at the skate park behind the centre is an example of an event that could help achieve her goal. The centre partnered with the owners of Stuntwood skateboard shop, “where there is already that youth connection,” she said.
She also aims to branch out beyond events at the centre, which is tucked in behind Howe Sound Secondary School.
“Sometimes being in one space is a bit limiting, and so getting out in other venues and other parts of the community can open up the scope of service to youth who may not have been here before or who may feel some sort of barrier to coming here,” she said.
For Youth Week, the centre collaborated and partnered with several local businesses and non-profit groups.
On Monday, youth were invited to Ground Up Climbing Centre for a beginner rock-climbing course, and on Tuesday, Brennan Park Recreation Centre held a Toonie swim. On Thursday, Youth Awards will be held at The Nest Restaurant and hosted by the Squamish Lions Club and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
The awards, Anderson said, are about “recognizing youth in the community who have contributed in different ways or who have shown improvement in certain areas, or contributions… nominated by people in the community.”
On Friday, the new trampoline gym, Airhouse, is hosting a pizza night.
“It was kind of this effort of everyone coming together and trying to coordinate their efforts,” she said.
Outreach will continue throughout the summer, according to Anderson. For example, a weekly pop-up coffee event is planned for Wednesdays at the Squamish Public Library. “Just have some espresso and some teen-curated relevant materials such as graphic novels and zines in that space,” she said. “Provide that space where they can just hang out and have a coffee with their friends.”
Plans are still being firmed up, but the centre will offer more daytime programs such as hiking trips. The centre now has exclusive access to a Sea to Sky Community Services van, whereas in the past, the centre shared the van with many other programs, Anderson said. “It is nice, you can do things with a little more spontaneity if you have access to your own vehicle.”
Also in the works for the summer is a new pavilion to be built in partnership with the Rotary Club of Squamish as part of a beautification project for around the centre.
“It will be this outdoor, covered pavilion space so we can have some more barbecues and outdoor programing space,” she said.
The youth and Rotarians will work together to build the pavilion from scratch. The centre will also expand its garden space outside.
The centre is funded by the District of Squamish.
For more information on the centre and its activities, go to www.sscs.ca/programs/squamish-youth-resource-centre or stop by the centre at 1135 Carson Place.
