BATTLEFORD - At Battleford town council on Feb. 7, council members heard the latest update from Concern for Youth.
The organization’s Executive Director Dani Williams presented their quarterly report at the meeting.
Williams reports that during 2021 Concern for Youth provided more than 2,166.5 hours of mentorship, one-on-one with staff or in small groups, working on “anything from anger to socializing with others, working on resumés, getting employment, getting back into school.”
She reported mental health was a “huge concern” in the last year, with staff working with youth on self-esteem and how to push forward.
There were 571 hours of programming including cultural events such as beading, teepee teachings, drum making and workout sessions at the Field House, among others. Their programming also included teaching life skills, such as how to cook.
They provided 564 transports to any youth who needed transportation to appointments or to and from school, or to their own programming.
They gave out 257 food boxes from Midwest Food Resources, including fruits and vegetables. Also, with COVID-19 restrictions still in force, they supplied 481 drop-off kits to youth with mostly art-based activities.
Williams pointed to the funding provided to the organization by the town as much appreciated, helping with mentorship as well as transportation. She also said a third staff member was possible throughout the summer and in the beginning of 2021 to facilitate do more programming.
"It definitely helped us to be able to do more for the youth," said Williams.
She added they were adding another staff part time on Feb. 16 and another part-time employee on March 1. That would allow them to provide "more transportation, more programming, more mentorship, more of everything I guess."
