Battlefords Concern for Youth's Dani Williams speaks to council at this week's online meeting. (File photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Support for youth

Concern for Youth gives positive report to town council

Feb 9, 2022 | 6:35 PM

Battlefords Concern for Youth (CFY) is continuing to grow, providing support to young people in the community.

Executive Director Dani Williams gave an update on the organization’s activities over the past year during a presentation at this week’s town council meeting.

She said during the 2021 year the non profit provided over 2,000 hours of mentorship, one-on-one engagement with staff, or in small groups to assist youth, who are either dealing with challenges, or trying to accomplish their goals.

“We worked on anything from [managing] anger, to socializing with others, working on resumes, getting employment or getting back into school,” she said.

Williams added that helping kids with their mental health has been a big focus in the past year especially, to assist kids in moving forward.

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CFY also provided over 570 hours in programming, which included engaging kids in many cultural events, such as teepee teachings, bead making, creating ribbon skirts as well as making drums and dream catchers. They also had some workout sessions at the NationsWEST Field House, as well as arts, life skills and other activities.

As another positive, CFY gave out over 200 Fresh Food Boxes containing healthy produce to families this past year through a partnership with Midwest Food Resources.

The organization also distributed over 400 kits with activities to youth who may not have attended programming as a COVID-19 precaution.

Williams said the funding the Town of Battleford provided to CFY was a great help to the organization, such as for its mentorship programming as well as for transportation needs.

The organization currently has two full-time staff and will add two part-time staff this year as well.

New for 2022, CFY is offering a drop-in session for youth on Wednesdays.

“Having more staff we’ll be able to have more youth as well,” Williams said.

Following a forum CFY conducted in November with kids from the local high schools, she said, many youth said they are struggling with maintaining a balance between home life and other responsibilities.

“We want to go back into the schools and talk to the youth more,…and try to bring them into our space,” she said.

Williams noted CFY offers mentorship to ages five to 19, but it tries not to focus on the same age group that BGC Battlefords, formerly known as the Boys & Girls Clubs of The Battlefords, already serves. For general programming, the main ages CFY caters to are those ages from 12 up to 19.

Battleford town council was thrilled to hear about CFY’s efforts to make a positive difference for young people in the community.

Coun. Judy Pruden took the opportunity to congratulate the non profit on how the organization has grown in the last three years.

“I’m very pleased to see the progress you’ve made…,” she said. “Keep up the good work. I think our money is well spent with you.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow