Lunenburg County

Youth in Lunenburg County are thriving, thanks to United Way and YMCA

Youth in and around Lunenburg have a safe, supportive space where they can build skills, relationships and a sense of belonging thanks to the support of United Way donors. The YMCA Southwest Nova Scotia has a number of programs to ensure youth are getting opportunities to thrive, and it all started with a grant from United Way Lunenburg in 2009.

Before the YMCA programs launched, youth in Bridgewater didn’t have a lot to do. There were no youth programs for kids over the age of 12 aside from fitness and childcare programs. But that changed when the YMCA started a Friday night program funded by a United Way Lunenburg grant. It was so well-received by local youth that the older kids wanted to volunteer to help younger kids. From there came the Youth Leader Program, and eventually, the King Street YMCA Youth Centre which opened in 2012.

Building skills for life

The Youth Leader program operates out of the King Street Youth Centre and is one of three YMCA programs receiving funding from United Way Lunenburg. It provides youth with several skill-building opportunities, like learning to cook, budgeting and other workshops. They’re involved in decision making for the programs under Youth Leadership, giving them some responsibility for its success. It’s a safe space where they can play games, socialize and make friends. They also spend hours volunteering in community.

One parent of an autistic 12-year-old youth leader explains what a difference it’s made in their child’s life.

“Cooking classes, interaction, trying new things with other children, youth leader programs, and having the opportunity to be a junior youth leader with other children has taught him many life lessons that as a parent I’m unable to teach him.” He’s able to employ coping skills learned elsewhere in real-life situations. “The impact is great. He speaks more, talks in social situations, and can express his feelings and offer his thoughts now. This time last year, he couldn’t do that.”

Kim Whitman-Mansfield, the program director, says the goal of the program is prevention. “The things kids were concerned about in 2009 compared to now have changed dramatically,” she says. She’s watched how world events have impacted local kids, resulting in increased mental health challenges, substance abuse and self-harm. But despite these pressures, offering kids a safe, judgement-free space is clearly making a difference. “We’ve never had any destruction or fights, never had to call the police. We treat youth with equity and empathy, empowering them to take responsibility for their actions.”

Testimonials from their participants also demonstrate how this approach is working. “We’re the next generation, we’re like the future of tomorrow,” says one participant. “We can make a great society for us when we grow older. I learned that we are more capable than we think.”

Thanks to the generous support of United Way donors like you, this program has helped young people in Lunenburg County trade isolation for inspiration. With every shared meal, coaching session, and mentorship moment, this program continues to light a new path forward.