Dear YCC Ogden and Forest Lawn Families,

We’ve had a few of our families step up to help out at the centres and I want to send out a thank you to you all. It’s SO nice when the parents lean in to give us a hand. 😊

The centres are SO busy these days, and thank you for sending your kids our way. YCC is hopping!

A couple things to end your week!

1. YCC is a safe place for “kids to be kids” and we try very hard to keep them all safe and prevent bullying of kids by other kids. Ninety nine percent of the time the kids are kind to others. But there are times, where sadly we have to enforce the rules. Kids who are deliberately mean to other kids aren’t allowed at the centres. This consequence follows warnings, conversations and opportunities to course-correct. While we give every kid the chance to “try again”, there comes a point where the non-negotiable commitment to all kids that they will be kept safe at the centres can’t be met if we allow or turn a blind eye at the centres to unkind or unsafe treatment of the other kids. Sometimes we offer a “come back in a few days/weeks/months” and in the rare case, where kids are at risk of not wanting to come to the centre because of a kid they are afraid of, we have had to make a permanent decision that they not come back.
Our leaders do pay attention to what’s happening in the parks outside the centre, however when kids are not signed in and are off-site, and also during off-program hours, we don’t manage or oversee the kids; but we still do care.We are always looking for indicators of mistreatment of others because of the risk that the behaviour can continue in the centre where we actually can control it, and help. We pay attention to the particular kids who are making life hard for the others and to those kids who are most affected. We do what we can. Let’s all stick together on this issue. Encourage the kids to speak up. We won’t be turning a blind eye to any physical or emotional risk posed to kids by other kids, no matter where or when it happens. Ever.

2. YCC After Dark program is now done and  in the rear view mirror and was a huge success – the older kids had the “run of the houses” on Friday nights and our staff thought it was great. We’ll let you know if we ever decide to start the program again!

3. Free YCC Summer Day Camps – the registration forms for free summer day camps at both centres will be coming out next month. As soon as they are available I will send out the form and there will be copies at the centres.

4.  Forest Lawn Cooking Classes for kids start on Friday, April 24 for 8-16 year old kids at 1:30pm and will run for 3 Friday’s. (April 24th, May 1st and May 8th). FUN!! Email Mariam at info@youthcentresofcalgary.com to register. Flyer is attached.

5.  Who doesn’t LOVE healthy food at low prices? Every Friday at 3:00 for the 3 weeks of Cooking Classes, Fresh Routes will open to the public in the back of the centre in Forest Lawn (in the sports shack/garage), selling low-cost fresh groceries to anyone wanting to pick up some produce, fruit and other things at below market prices. Please swing by anytime between 3 and 4:30. Fresh Routes takes debit, credit and cash!

Tell your friends! 2620-40 St. SE. Go through the alley or around the house to the back.

6. If you have sick kids, please don’t send them to YCC. We will call you to pick them up if they arrive sick. SORRY!

Have a great weekend EVERYONE. We are hoping for a green spring!

💙 Jane