Youth project makes a difference in community

Core Neighbourhood Youth Coop (CNYC) on 20th Street was pleased to recognize one of their corporate sponsors, Affinity Credit Union, in a special way for their generosity and support.

Affinity Board Members Linda Moulin and Cathy Cislecki presented a cheque to CNYC youth representative, Christian Bear, who accepted on behalf of the organization.

“Affinity has been a partner for numerous years,” said Marcel Petit, Executive Director of CNYC, adding that with their restructuring they are trying to acknowledge their sponsors for as much as possible to show their appreciation. “The money is going to a good place, towards youth and for this place to survive.”

Petit noted that they pitch a proposal every year. And this time the donation was more than usual to the tune of $20,000.  This is a big help for CNYC as they mainly rely on funders and donors to make their annual budget.

“Like every other corporation, they get a lot of grants and proposals asking for funding,” said Petit. It only stands to reason that when you need money, one of the first places to approach is the bank.

“We have this wall of fame alphabetically listing our donors.  We’re really trying to acknowledge the people that need to be acknowledged,” he said. And there is Affinity, alphabetically on top. 

This donation means that CNYC is more than halfway to making the annual minimum required to keep the doors open. Petit noted that CNYC has been tightening their belt and reducing costs as much as possible, while still making their best efforts to effectively deliver programs and meet overhead costs.

CNYC is an alternative education program that assists Saskatoon youth in developing life skills and employment skills outside the institutional models and school systems when they do not thrive in the mainstream school system.

Youth between the ages of 15 and 21 (mostly 19 and under) earn academic credits and learn life and employment skills in a compassionate and supportive environment.

“We do not screen our youth. We will give any youth interested a chance to participate in our programs,” said Petit. The staff provides job skills, educational and sustainable economic opportunities with an emphasis on environment and leadership. As well, students are encouraged to come up with their own initiatives and ideas.

Some of the services and programs CNYC currently offer include carpentry, arts programming and cultural classes, a bike repair co-op in the summer, and urban gardening.  What they build in the shop is often for sale, and they also sell surplus garden produce, gaining not only practical hands-on skills, but valuable business experiences along with an appreciation for environmental and cultural concerns, and sustainability.

Right now Petit is also on the lookout for a passenger van so the youth can do their gardening out of town, one of many enterprises and uses, as well as picking up materials and supplies, and doing errands. He is hopeful they can either raise enough funds, or receive a donation. Any working passenger van will do the trick.

“There are tons of kids gardening,” said Petit. “The past couple years we’ve been on the right track.  It’s a work-in-progress but it’s working, the youth are working, and the youth are amazing.”

Petit said people will notice more partnerships occurring. He plans to launch possible initiatives with other organizations like White Buffalo Youth Lodge, which is just across the street. There are many crossovers and they can pool their resources to do joint programming.

He said it only makes sense, since many of these organizations are going after the same dollars to launch joint initiatives and do things more efficiently at less overall cost. They want to reach the maximum number of people to create the most impact.

For example, they are hoping to resurrect a “Word On The Street” youth newspaper so that young people can not only practice writing and reporting skills, but express themselves creatively and learn how to put a paper together with layout, design, graphics, and printing.
“Really, this place is about the youth,” Petit said. “It’s an amazing place.”

Photo caption: Core Neighborhood Youth Coop representative Christian Bear (center) accepts a $20,000 cheque from Linda Moulin(left) and Carol Cisecki of Affinity Credit Union(right) on April 1 in Saskatoon.