More than 100 people attended a spaghetti supper held at the Heartland Youth Center last week, raising funds in support of the centre’s programs for teens.
Two sittings were held on Thursday, Feb. 5, with 37 people attending at 5 p.m. and another 65 people enjoying the meal at 6 p.m.
“It was a good turnout,” said Courtney Schell, who serves as the leader of the centre’s Torch and Keystone teen community service programs.
The annual dinner, held for the sixth time this year, is organized as a fundraiser in support of those programs.
Last week’s event raised a total of $815.
Schell said the funds will be divided between the two programs, describing their activities as a mixture of community service and recreation.
The Torch program will use their funds either for attending upcoming camps or other activities, such as trips to the museum, pool or Dairy Queen.
The Keystone program will use their proceeds to support a group of three teens going to the University of Manitoba to attend the Fusion National Youth Forum from May 6 to 10.
The group includes Keirsten Docherty, who serves as president of the local Keystone club and is also part of the national youth council for Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.
She will travel to Winnipeg ahead of the rest of the group to take part in planning the forum.
Also planning to attend are Katie Nimf, one of the club’s junior leaders, and Xavier Moreno, a baking and cooking enthusiast who was working in the kitchen during Thursday’s meal.
“I think it’s really empowering for them,” said Schell. “It’s just a way for them to make memories with kids who are just like them.”
The Heartland Youth Center runs a full slate of programming for youth aged six to 18, and Schell explained that its role is to give those young people a place to belong.
“It provides a safe environment,” she said. “I think that these teens feel like they can really open up here.”
For more information, look up the Youth Center on Facebook or call 403-742-5437.