Investing in our Youth

May 23, 2025
3 min read

The Importance of Youth Programs

Youth programs play a crucial role in fostering a healthy community by providing young individuals with a safe social space to learn, grow, and connect. Lakeview's schedule currently offers our kids Kinder Club on Tuesdays, Family Drop-in and Healthy Hang-outs on Wednesdays, and Jiu Jitsu on Thursdays. Harbour Love spends a lot of time engaging with our youth in a positive way, because we believe investing in our youth strengthens our community. and youth programs encourage:

Responsibility: Youth learn to take charge of their actions and understand the impact they have on others.
Inclusivity: Programs promote diversity and acceptance, allowing youth from different backgrounds to come together.
Growth: Participants experience personal development through various activities and challenges.
Experience: Engaging in programs provides valuable life experiences that can shape their future.
Healthy Outlets: Youth have opportunities to express themselves in constructive ways, reducing the likelihood of negative behaviors.
Activities: A variety of engaging activities keep youth active and involved.
Projects: Collaborative projects foster teamwork and community spirit.
Skills Development: Programs can focus on developing both soft and hard skills that are essential for growth and personal development.
Resources: Access to mentors, educational materials, and support networks can significantly benefit youth.

Our Program Plan and Overview

We are creating a program that compliments our Lakeview calendar, adding more time and space for youth to have a safe space to connect, learn, and feel part of their community. Our goal is to foster a sense of belonging and pride in their environment.

Objectives

Provide a safe and welcoming environment for youth.
Encourage social connections among peers.
Facilitate learning opportunities through workshops and activities.
Promote community involvement and pride.

Program Ideas

Mentorship Programs: Pairing youth with adult mentors to guide them in personal and professional development. Our youth are learning lots of little skills at HL.
Sports and Recreation: Organizing sports leagues or outdoor activities to promote physical health and teamwork. Catch, basketball, or other outdoor activities encourage socialization, and overall better health.
Arts and Culture: Offering workshops in music, dance, cooking, theater, or visual arts to encourage creativity.
Community Service Projects: Engaging youth in volunteer work to instill a sense of community and responsibility. Helping neighbours and community clean-ups are just some ways our youth are serving our community.
Life Skills Workshops: Teaching practical skills such as cooking, budgeting, and job readiness., completing tasks. Folding clothing, organizing food tables, checking off the youth volunteer task sheet, and showing dedication and a willingness to learn.
Environmental Initiatives: Involving youth in sustainability projects, such as community gardens or clean-up campaigns, recycling. Yep, we're working on it.

Ways to Fundraise Within the Community

By implementing effective youth programs and exploring various fundraising strategies, communities can significantly enhance the development and well-being of their young members. That's our goal.

Community Events: Organizing events like bake sales, car washes, yard sales, art shows to raise funds. Future community events are being discussed -stay tuned!
Crowdfunding: Utilizing online platforms to reach a broader audience for donations.
Partnerships with Local Businesses: Collaborating with businesses for sponsorships or a portion of sales to be donated. We're always looking for new opportunties.
Grant Applications: Applying for grants from local government or non-profit organizations that support youth initiatives. HL has recently applied for a local grant. Keeping our fingers crossed.
Fundraising Campaigns: Creating themed campaigns (e.g., holiday drives) to engage the community in fundraising efforts. For now, our donation jar is our main source.

Vision

We want our youth to love where they live, embracing their community and contributing positively to its growth and development, along with their own personal growth.

View our youth forms below to see what we're working on.