Routes Youth Centre

A safe place to help guide youth towards socially productive and satisfying lives. This is the mission and goal taken on by Danielle Malby the new program director for Routes Youth Centre. Around 100 youth, not all there at the same time, work on relationship building in this safe, caring, social environment. This is an after school program that involves a number of structured and unstructured activities. Those over 14 do dinner and discussion, boys night out, girls night out, and sports with each program designed to help kids talk, discuss and generally have fun. There is also a program for those 14 and under called kids talk where youth have an opportunity to eat, talk and learn appropriate behaviour. Of course there is also a drop in time when homework can be completed.

A number of youth start the program to  complete community service hours because of group home and probation referrals. After completion of their mandatory time they often stick around because they enjoy what is happening.

Participants raise funds through a scrap metal drive, leaf raking and a canteen. More formal funding comes from patrons, grants, donations and corporate sponsors. The centre has been housed in the Salvation Army building but is actively looking for a new home for June. 

Dundas Valley Sunrise Rotarians Bill Armstrong and Ross Bannatyne presented Danielle with a cheque for $2000. The club has supported the Routes Youth Centre for several years.