Dani Williams (Concern For Youth), centre left, at town council's meeting Monday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

2023 funding

Town shows support for Concern For Youth

Oct 4, 2022 | 8:50 AM

The Town of Battleford approved funding for 2023 for Battlefords Concern For Youth at council’s meeting Monday.

Council gave the go ahead to include $10,000 in funding in the town’s 2023 budget for the the non-profit organization that provides outreach and mentorship services to youth.

Concern For Youth’s executive director Dani Williams presented as a delegation when making the request.

She said the organization continues to have three full-time staff members working with over 30 youth in the mentorship program, as well as additional youth attending other programs and events.

“We’re still continuing to look at cultural programming, life-skills programming, recreation and creativity,” Williams said of the group’s focus. “Those have been our four consistent activities we’ve done throughout all of our programming.”

North Stars Week Preview

Big test for North Stars as Terriers come to town

35m ago

SJHL VS. MJHL

Western All-Star Showcase gets underway tonight

18h ago

Kevin R Profile

Kevin Russell seeks third term as Battleford councillor

19h ago

She said there are lots of opportunities for youth to try new activities through the program.

In the past 12 months, the organization had 14 youth in its mentorship program reside in Battleford, and currently nine of those are active members.

The group sees support from the Ministry of Social Services, the only consistent form of funding it receives. But that can only sustain two full-time positions and 76 per cent of the executive director’s salary. The funding from the town would ensure the organization can still keep a third full-time position for the year ahead to benefit youth.

Williams said 80 per cent of the funding ask from the town would help supplement the third staff salary to continue offering programming, as well as having an extra person to take mentorship files. The remaining 20 per cent would benefit the mentorship program. The funding would also help cover transportation costs for mentorship services.

The organization’s fiscal year runs from April 1, 2023 to March 30, 2024.

Mayor Ames Leslie said last year the organization missed the timeline to submit its request, so the town had to under-fund the group’s ask. So the group put in its request early this time.

“She [Williams] is here before our budget time to make sure it’s [in on time],” he said.

Council approved town administration’s recommendation to grant the non profit $10,000 in funding for 2023. It was noted there was no increase in cost compared to 2022.

Mayor Leslie said he has noticed the group has really grown immensely in the past several years, supporting the youth.

“It’s had a significant impact on our community,” he said to Williams. “I just want to acknowledge your team… You guys are everywhere, all the community functions.”

The group’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“We can sit in this room and make decisions to think that we make an impact. But you guys live it every day. Thank you for that,” Leslie said.

–

angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW