New Projects Are In The Works For Youth

Tuesday, 27 February 2018 05:24

Teens in the community have been creating projects thanks to the funding of Youth United and United Way Oxford.

OXFORD COUNTY - Local teens have been creating projects thanks to funding from Youth United and United Way Oxford.

Jennifer Belleth, United Way's Oxford Resource Development Coordinator, says this program benefits a lot of youth in our community.

"An opportunity to just say,"We Care," we're supporting our students in our school but we want to support people in our neighbourhood too."

Youth United Chair Crystal Usher explains how the applicants are selected.

"There were 6 applications in total and 4 have been approved. It is incredible to see how youth are willing to take the lead on projects that can make a significant difference in our community. Each project application was reviewed to ensure the work aligned with United Way Oxford’s focus areas of poverty, healthy communities and kids and each applicant was interviewed alongside their supporting organization."

These projects include the following:

- Promoting Arts with Kids, Jacob Wiley and Jessica Craddock, Woodstock Collegiate Institute and Central Public School, Woodstock, ON.

Writing, directing and executing a full-scale drama to empower elementary aged students and to help build resiliency, self-esteem and self-regulation skills.

- Wellness Wednesday, Jenny Lamb, Woodstock Collegiate Institute and Oxford County Board of Health, Woodstock, ON.

A day dedicated to help improve the mental, emotional, psychological and physical health of their peers during exam season.

- Winter Warmth & Care, Megan Stevenson and Sydney Force, College Avenue Secondary School, Woodstock, ON.

To allow community members to feel more connected and cared for, care packages will be assembled and distributed to local peers and residents.

- Tomorrow’s Chefs, Jessica Leduc, Oxford County Community Health Centre, Woodstock, ON.

Cooking classes for youth aged 10 to years to learn food literacy skills and leverage education, leadership, mentorship, recreation and social opportunities.

Jennifer Belleth continues on to tell what the real win of the program is.

"I think its just really profound to think that here in our community we have a group of Youth United council members who want to support their peers to make change happen and that's great, but I think the real win is that their actually doing it."

She also adds that Youth United members act as leaders in our community.

"I am honoured to work with this group. Youth United members are responsible for upholding the value of United Way and act as leaders in our community to initiate change and take a stand against issues they feel passionate about. They're doing just that!"

Youth United accepts applications for this program throughout the year. Their next deadline is on April 13.

To find out more information about Youth United visit their website www.unitedwayoxford.ca.