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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Tuesday December 23, 2008 - 21 Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN By Karen Alton SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Phone: 905-845-3824, ext. 248 Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com Teens defining who they are and how they fit e read a lot these days in the daily papers about young people running amok, horror stories of stabbings and shootings. We are not immune to these tragedies in Halton. But, instead of focusing on the horrific, just for a moment, let's recognize the good work of a small, community-based organization now in its 30th year of operation. The original mandate of Nelson Youth Centres (NYC) was simple, "To teach our youth responsible behaviour." Over three decades, NYC, a private, nonprofit, fully-accredited children's mental health agency, has been a beacon for some 9,000 emotionally struggling young people and their families. What began as an outreach project by Port Nelson United Church in Burlington, to manage some disruptive teens, has become a shining example of what a community can do with the guidance of a dedicated volunteer board of directors and a creative and committed staff. In 1978, the late Ron Coupland, of the Halton Children's Aid Society, Judge James Fuller, of Halton Family Court ,and David Coons, a Burlington regional councillor, got together to set the goals of NYC as it took up residence in an abandoned farm house. Much has happened over the ensuing years to refine and expand programming. Much has been learned. Today, NYC runs community-based, afterschool programs for children aged seven to 17 in Oakville and Acton, as well as Burlington. According to Executive Director Cindy McClure, 37 per cent of the 225 children and 141 parents that NYC assisted this past year were Oakville residents. The theory is, and experts say, that troubled kids do better when they get help within their own community in a prompt and timely fashion. NYC attempts to nurture and connect moderately distressed children and families before they become seriously at risk. Two relatively new outreach programs operate in Oakville currently: an AfterSchool Program for children ages seven to 14 at the River Oaks Community Church on Munns Avenue. For teens aged 14 to 17, the Reconnecting Youth Program is operated in a large, multi-function room in Kerr Street Ministries (KSM) on Kerr Street. Cindy Legere is the co-ordinator of the Oakville programs. Legere has been a child and family counsellor for five years and runs the weekly programs along with Lindsay Brown, also a child and family counsellor. "There are no religious elements to any of these programs," Legere said in a recent interview. "It is just a good partnership of community agencies interested in helping W "We all have challenges in life and we have to acquire the skills to get through those challenges. It's a positive thing." Cindy Legere, co-ordinator Oakville programs Nelson Youth Centres (NYC) at Kerr Street Ministries kids." Her group of teens, aged 15 to 17, meet every Tuesday from the end of the school day until about 7:30 p.m. During that time, they have group activities, prepare and eat a healthy meal, and also have time for a one-on-one talk with a counsellor. Sometimes they do bird calls and punch out a tune with one finger on the piano. Together, they work on elevating self esteem and healthy expression of emotions, developing coping strategies and building friendships. Sometimes there are guest speakers to initiate discussion. There are seven young people in this session, referred by their family doctor or teacher or parent. There is no fee, as NYC is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Family and Children's Services, with additional funds from the United Ways of both Oakville and Burlington. "The kids in this program struggle with a variety of issues," Legere explained. "Some suffer from low self-esteem, social anxiety and lack of social skills. Some have problems with anger, some can't cope with the stress of day-to-day activities." "Every child is different," Legere pointed out. This was clearly evident on a recent Tuesday as the group prepared pizzas, each pizza as different as the hands that made it. "There are many factors contributing to their lives," said the counsellor. "Family dynamics are huge, some kids are in foster care; some are dealing with past traumatic events. Sometimes there is a learning disability." Legere says that teens are just trying to figure out how they fit in. "They are in the process of creating an identity - growing into their own image of who they are -- and trying to accept that image," she said. "Our program is youthfriendly. It is all about connecting with them and empowering them." "Look," she added, "we all have challenges in life and we have to acquire the skills to get through those challenges. It's a positive thing. "We try to send the message that it is okay to seek support. Kids quickly discover, as part of the group, that they are not alone, that other kids are struggling too. And while it is not always immediately apparent, they are all here for the same reason, to grow LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER DOING HIS THING: A youth reads as others take part in various activities in the Reconnecting Youth Program at Kerr Street Ministries (KSM). and make positive changes in their lives." It's not perfect, she admitted. "We can't always get to the root of the problem and we might not always reach the goals we have set for the children, or what their families would have liked to achieve. "But, invariably," she insisted, "there is some progress, some improvement, something to take away and build on." Not perfect then, but persistent, and passionate about her work: not as colourful as gang warfare, but still a good story. For more information, consult the NYC website at www.nelsonyouthcentres.com. In Oakville For 30 Years 905-849-6900 Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Special New Year Tours · OBAMA WASHINGTON Jan 18 ­ 2 Nights Coach TICO 4085346 $ 549 pp CAD 5,495 pp USD Nick Nikolov · OBAMA HERITAGE TOUR Kenya 12 Nights $