Fundraiser for Rayside Balfour Youth Centre
On Sunday in Chelmsford there was a family-friendly fundraiser to support a local space for young people.
The Rayside Balfour Youth Centre receives funding from the city to operate but also needs to raise money to support its programs and activities to provide an inclusive, fun safe space.
There was music to brighten the atmosphere, face painting and many fun activities for families, all in support of the Rayside Balfour Youth Centre which has been in operation for over 20 years.
"We have something for everyone like science and math and literacy. We have reading groups and we also have diversity groups Monday night. So the LGBTQ community. We have a trans group. We have non-binary individuals. So it's somewhere they can come, they can meet people who are going to support them," Kristen Brutto, the program co-ordination at the Rayside Balfour Youth Centre, told CTV News.
Youth who attend the centre said there are many benefits.
"It's a safe place so I don't have to worry about other people judging. So it's a safe place and it's fun because a lot of times they have an activity for the day," Matthieu Desrosiers, a 14-year-old who attends the youth centre, said.
Staff said the goal is to have a safe and place for youth to socialize, learn and have fun.
"It's amazing. It's a great little initiative, great little hub where kids can just hang out. We have resources if they need anything. We have daily programs and workshops that they can come to yah it keeps them off the streets and something to do," Chelsea Chamberland, a youth supervisor at the Rayside Balfour Youth Centre, said.
The centre is open to youth ages 10-17.
Officials said it is all about providing a place of connection and being an inclusive space.
For more information on the centre and its activities visit their Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.