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
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.