Battlefords Concern For Youth executive director Dani Williams shown at a prior town council meeting. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Report to town council

Concern For Youth seeing positive results

May 3, 2022 | 2:33 PM

Battlefords Concern For Youth (CFY) is continuing to experience strong numbers for programming this year.

Executive director Dani Williams gave an update on the group’s progress when she presented her quarterly report to Town of Battleford council Monday.

She also provided a financial report for the period ending March 31, 2022, showing a balanced budget. The non profit finished the period with a surplus of $12,432.

Williams said Concern For Youth is currently fully staffed, with two full-time positions, including a full-time and two part-time mentors.

Youth are provided transportation if needed to attend the organization’s programming to ensure more kids are able to participate. There are currently 26 youth taking the mentorship program. That works out to 19 from North Battleford, five from Battleford and two who live outside of town.

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Kids participating in programming have access to a variety of snacks and other amenities while they are taking part in discussions with the mentors.

“We are able to do these things because of the funding you have given us towards that mentorship,” Williams said.

She said currently a lot of kids are still struggling to socialize following the prolonged COVID situation. So the mentorship program is helping them get back to being in a safe space with a positive environment.

Williams said coming up Concern For Youth will be attending the The B.E.A.T.S Encounter Comic-Con-themed Youth Expo on Wednesday, May 18, one of the many activities CFY kids are taking part in this year.

She noted the Town of Battleford funds about 20 per cent of CFY’s Youth Engagement co-ordinator position.

CFY also runs various workshops for youth, such as science and recreation groups so kids can have fun while learning about topics that match their interests.

Williams added the organization also started offering a Wednesday drop in that continues to see good participation.

“It’s going extremely well,” she said. “Eight to 10 youth are regularly attending.”

Guest speakers are also invited to drop by to give presentations on occasion.

Williams added her staff are also involved in holding movie nights once a month at CFY, with an educational component.

As well, Midwest Food Resources visits at times to discuss cooking with healthy foods.

For another event, kids took part in two self-care days recently. They were able to get their hair cut, learn how to apply makeup or take part in other activities.

Mayor Ames Leslie was pleased to hear the organization’s work is going so well.

“Awesome,” he said to Williams. “The passion in your voice is contagious.”

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW