March 16, 2011 Volume 7 • Number 11 50¢ Newsstand Price
north shore
INSIDe
Social work award presented to Vicki Michaud– page 3
congratulations KaMloops storM!
Also
Stop by Robo and So Espresso for a car wash and coffee – page 5
open for business 250.376.2411
your neighborhood. your newspaper.
Drop-in centre empowers aboriginal youth
There is so much that happens behind the scenes in our community and unless you are specifically looking for it, you would never ever see it. Every day people of all ages band together to help support each other, grow, prosper, and make their lives mean something. Here on the North Shore, just off Palm Street, in a little house, tucked in behind the Aboriginal Friendship Centre is one such place. Home of the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth (CCAY) Drop-in Centre, the little house holds the keys and tools to help shape and mentor the youth of today. “The Drop-in Centre is dedicated towards empowering Aboriginal people to achieve their fullest potential,” explains youth counselor and mentor Jonathan Pfeiffer. “We have a core group of about 20 kids and have a youth counsel that meets once per month to plan the activities and community events. One of the things that makes us stand out is that we don’t tell the kids what to do and what activities they will be participating in. We get them to plan and run their activities and we mentor and help provide the
structure. It is important to give them confidence and security to help them become socially competent adults. The kids take ownership and have pride in what they are doing. You saturday, april 9 get to see the trickle down mentorship Share what you can spare! effect. The older kids mentor the younger kids. It all goes back to giving them freedom and responsibility.” The youth counsel has worked open for business 250.376.2411 very hard to plan their curriculum and has a wide array of fun for the kids. They have dedicated days for music and video production, guitar lessons, computer classes, and much more. They also have a house band and write songs together about important issues affecting them, which helps to get their feelings and thoughts out. Getting their hands dirty and working on a variety of projects has helped these young adults bud into hardworking, community-minded individuals. The different programs and activities have helped to broaden horizons and get them involved in their community. One such example is Adam Prytula who has been involved in the program for about a year. He has started – continued on page 2
rotary Food drive
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Adam Prytula of the Cultural Connections Aboriginal Youth drop-in program has been selected as one of 18 Aboriginal sport and recreation leaders in BC to attend a provincial event in Prince Rupert.
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