For the past 11 years, Concern for Youth has been helping at-risk youth in the community. Today, Concern for Youth needs the community's help.
The Ministry of Social Services funds a majority of the non-profit organization's operating costs, but even after their contribution of $116,060, CFY needs an additional $57,550 to continue providing the services they currently offer.
They've applied for additional funding from both the Town and City, both of whom contributed last year.
At the last regular town council meeting, council heard from a delegation from CFY requesting $17,000 in funding.
Mayor Chris Odishaw thanked the association for their hard work, but balked at the amount of funding requested, adding, "this is nearly double what we gave last year."
It was decided a meeting involving the contributors to CFY - the Town of Battleford, the City of North Battleford and potentially a representative from the Ministry of Social Services - would be organized to come up with solutions for this year's budget.
A number of items on the budget are relatively small, such as office supplies at $1,000 and van maintenance at $1,000, and could potentially be sponsored by local businesses.
But Shauna Walker, CFY board chair, said although a number of businesses offer discounts, "nobody's willing to just fund everything."
However, Walker said she's appreciative of what support has been given to CFY.
Founded in 1989 to address issues among youth in the Battlefords, such as crime, drugs and gangs, CFY provides a number of services to youth in the community, ranging from hot meals on cold days to help in accessing community services.
Selina Delimini, CFY co-ordinator, said, "the primary objective of outreach workers is to locate, interact and connect with youth at risk and their families and make referrals to social and community agencies."
CFY primarily offers these services out of a van, but outreach workers are available to accompany youth to court or medical appointments. Counsellors and elders regularly accompany outreach workers on rides and offer services and advice to youth.
CFY regularly surveys the youth they serve, to help gain a better understanding of the issues they face, but also to determine how effective their programs are.
A number of youth indicated drugs were easier to acquire than food, which highlights the importance of CFY's nutrition program.
CFY had applied for $3,500 - the cost of the nutrition program - from Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Community Development Corporation, who has funded the nutrition program in the past, but were turned down because of shortfalls in BATC CDC's budget.
Councillor Garth Walls, who also sits on the BATC CDC board, recommended CFY re-apply for funding in the next quarter.
Another major issue facing youth is 'couch surfing,' where youth are not exactly living on the streets, but jumping from one couch to another, staying at friends' or relatives' homes because the situation in their own home is intolerable.
"Unfortunately, a lot of these places are unsafe, unsupervised homes where there is a lack of guidance and positive role models and youth are engaging in unprotected sex and are at serious risk of sexual abuse," explained Delimini.
Currently, CFY refers these children to programs and services within the community, but in the future would like to see a temporary safe shelter for these youth, as agencies are often unable to place the youth in a home on short notice.
"We have very little foster homes around here and the ones we do have rarely take teenagers," said Walker.
Another initiative CFY is exploring is partnering with Service Canada's Youth Employment Strategy to help youth transition to the workforce.
