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.
Hello Families! 1. Registration is open for our free summer day camps for all kids 8-15. We will take weekly field trips to the river, local pools, parks and (again this year) the Calgary Police Interpretive Centre. Camps will run all summer (Monday to Friday) from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The onsite activities will include games in…
Dear YCC Ogden and Forest Lawn Families, A quick note to keep you up to date! 1. Fresh Routes market is selling below market produce from 3pm-5pm tomorrow (Friday) from the Forest lawn garage, at the back of the house. (2620 40 St. SE) Fresh Routes will be set up in the back alley. Everyone is…
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,…
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 the communities of Ogden and Forest Lawn with the youth we serve every day!
Some of the ways you can be involved in changing real lives: