Thanks to you, we’ve been able to change the futures of vulnerable youth in Calgary.
Calgary’s vulnerable youth deserve a future where they can be successful and thrive.
The reality is that many kids in under-the-radar Calgary communities face daunting challenges in life. Economically, socially, academically and with their mental health.
This is not their fault. Cyclical poverty, social isolation and chronic stress are very real in our city. Without a leg up, these youth will face even greater challenges as adults.
That’s where we come in.
We give kids whose lives are subject to chaos and uncertainty a welcoming home-like place, stability, nutritious food, help with homework, and healthy connections they may not have access to elsewhere.
These simple opportunities can be life-altering.
Our programs are designed to help youth reach their full potential and help break the cycles of poverty that prevent them from becoming healthy, strong, contributing members of society.
YCC operates out of welcoming, warm, home-like settings within walking distance of school or home in vulnerable communities.
Every day after school and during the breaks, kids aged 9-15 run to our centre for healthy snacks, a conversation with a university student role model, access to technology, a chance to play a sport, take a free music lesson, read a book in a quiet reading space, and paint a canvass. After a hot dinner, served by a mom, they do a chore and take a cookie for the walk home (most of them to Calgary Housing).
We are open every weekday during after-school hours when youth are most at risk of getting into or causing trouble.
Police and studies show that with safe spaces like ours, crime goes down, high school graduation goes up, kids don’t get into as much trouble, gang membership goes down, and families are supported.
And it works because of the many, incredibly generous, compassionate people in this city who make Youth Centres of Calgary’s safe spaces a reality for many of Calgary’s youth.
Calgary Youth Centres proven model for positively impacting vulnerable youth includes the following guiding principles:
With these core systems in place and donor support, YCC has plans to open more centres in other Calgary communities in need.
Hey, I’m Liz! I’m so excited to be volunteering at YCC and have the opportunity to be work with the kids of Ogden. I have lived in Calgary for the last 17 years and have 2 children now in their 20’s as well as a dog named Benji! I love all kinds of sports and…
Darren Krause Originally posted on Livewire Calgary Calgary’s 2022 Citizen of the Year Jane Wachowich had no idea she’d been nominated. When she was invited to a Zoom call with Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Wachowich just assumed it was about pressing social issues. After all, Wachowich has been a stalwart in providing a space for…
Original Article: CTV News Calgary She’s a corporate lawyer, a businesswoman and a philanthropist for some of Calgary’s most vulnerable young children, but Jane Wachowich can now add ‘Citizen of the Year’ to her incredible resume. The Calgary woman took home the top honour in the city’s annual awards ceremony on Wednesday evening where 11…
We believe that youth have the right to healthy ‘out of school’ support that sets them on a path to breaking cycles of poverty.
We empower youth to contribute to their choices and wellbeing, to their family, and to their community.
We embrace the unique identities and experiences of all and model respect for self, volunteers, friends, and property.
We value our position as a trusted grassroots community service, and we commit to accountability, transparency, and efficiency for responsible use of all our resources.
Locating in the most vulnerable communities, we reduce the financial, physical, and emotional impacts of poverty for youth and their families, giving youth a chance to grow and succeed by providing a safe and inclusive space where:
Join others who have made a significant difference in Ogden with the youth we serve every day!
Some of the ways you can be involved in changing real lives: