HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times-Advocate, 2002-11-06, Page 16By Sandra Forster
TIMES-ADVOCATE STAFF
GRAND BEND –Bringing art and recreation to the
Grand Bend community is the goal of Kim
Gingerich, 24, of Zurich and Elyshia DeGroot, 24, of
Dashwood at the Partners in Youth (PIY) Centre.
The two women have been best friends since
Grade 3. Both trained as child and youth workers at
Lambton College, worked as educational assistants
and in foster/group home settings.
Now they are enjoying their dream job of working
with youth in Grand Bend, creating a “home away
from home” and a safe place for youth to hang out
with their friends at the Grand Bend Youth Centre.
The women answered an ad to work 15-20 hours
per week and now their vision has developed into
two full-time jobs.
They’re also both members of the Grand Bend
Optimists, which provided a program grant through
National Crime Prevention to keep youth off the
streets by keeping them busy learning fun hobbies.
Youth programs
This summer, they ran an eight-week summer day
camp for 25-30 children age 6-12.
Kim and Elyshia and summer employee Carla
Taylor organized all the events, including sports,
swimming, horseback riding, golf, picnics, theme
days and day trips to such places as the African
Lion Safari.
“It was very fun,” Elyshia says.
This fall/winter, the youth centre is holding an
After-School Arts Program. Art and recreation
nights for youth age 13-18 include a wide variety of
activities chosen by the group.
Events include karate, kick boxing, a murder mys-
tery night, cooking skills and day trips for shopping,
skiing and snow tubing.
The art program partner is the Lawrence House
Centre for the Arts in Sarnia.
An art exhibit is planned for Dec. 3 at the Youth
Centre with members’ artwork on display 4 p.m. to
6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A Christmas party will be held Dec. 13 5 p.m. to 8
p.m. at the Legion with food, games, pinatas and
carolling.
Theme days are held on PD days for all school
boards.
The women started a toddler art program on
Mondays for children age 6 mon-2. Edible artwork
is created by painting with pablum and chocolate
pudding!
A pre-school program runs Tuesdays for age 3-5
with games, songs, dance and art.
Half-day programs for Saturdays, theme days dur-
ing the Christmas break and new ideas for January
are already in the planning stages.
Wish list
The non-profit PIY needs volunteers to provide
transportation for youth outside Grand Bend to
attend the programs.
Kitchen facilities in the other half of the Youth
Centre building could be used to teach cooking
lifeskills. A youth-run cafe would give youth a sense
of ownership in their community.
Money for bus transportation on day trips, a com-
puter desk, photocopier, children’s games, books,
decks of cards, computers and computer games, a
TV, Christmas decorations and an artificial
Christmas tree are all on the Youth Centre’s wish
list.
High school students can have fun spending their
community service hours by volunteering on youth
nights.
For more information or to donate items call 238-
8859.
Crossroads
Wednesday, November 6, 2002 17Exeter Times Advocate
Following their dreams:working with youth
Elyshia DeGroot and Kim Gingerich
GRAND BEND – ‘Youth working for youth’ is
the theme of the Youth Service Canada (YSC)
project begun two weeks ago in the Grand
Bend Youth Centre.
Five YSC workers are part of a 24-week com-
munity arts development project, funded by
Human Resources Development Canada
(HRDC) in partnership with the Lawrence
House Centre for the Arts. YSC creates projects
for youth age 15-30 who are not in school and
not able to find a job.
YSC offers workshops, job and marketing
training, time management courses, per-
sonality profiles and career coun-
selling for goal-setting.
Their aim is to make art an impor-
tant part of the community. The
group’s first task was to paint and
refurbish a room for an art studio and
they’re refinishing wooden chairs with ‘impres-
sionable’ art paintings to sell as a fund-raiser.
The chairs will be on display and for sale at the
Bayfield United Church Nov. 8, 9, Stephen
Central School Nov. 9, 10 and at the Exeter Art
Show in the Legion Nov. 30.
Next, they want to create a logo for Partners
in Youth so their work is easily recognized in
the community.
They’re planning to build a float for several
Santa Claus parades, and bring more youth
activities to the Winter Carnival. They plan to
paint murals on the Youth Centre, boarded-up
storefronts, decorate windows for Christmas
and create a Web site.
Creativity
The YSC workers are also involved in the
after-school art program. Sarah Leyes says the
program fills a gap in students’ art experience,
allowing for creative expression and free think-
ing, unlike the rote learning classroom method.
Teresa Marie teaches introduc-
tory art, principles of design, per-
spective and working with clay,
pastels, pencil and other mediums.
YSC teaches workers how to be
resourceful with limited funds, how to
problem-solve and make connections with
the community by marketing, advertising and
public speaking during presentations.
Wish list
YSC’s would like to make new funding part-
ners in the community and be an example of a
successful project.
Their supply list of needs includes art tables,
easels, shelving, storage space, lights, picture
frames and mats.
Teresa Marie instructs in the After School Arts Program in the Grand Bend Youth Centre.
Painting the new art studio are Andrew Bannister,Reed Jackson,
Amanda McKinnon,Sarah Leyes and Cindy Alblas.
Youth service workers bring art to GB community