Youth Centre Celebrates 10 Years of Youth Engagement!

Ten years ago, the community of Cumberland came together with a shared understanding of a critical gap in services for its youth. Due to the semi-rural setting and limited public transportation, many young people were finding it difficult to access programs in neighbouring communities. Through surveys and focus groups, youth & their families shared their wish for a safe space to spend time after school and in the evenings, close to their own neighborhoods.

In March 2015, the community’s vision for a drop-in Youth Centre became a reality. Comox Valley Schools generously donated a space on campus and both the School District and the Village of Cumberland contributed start-up funding. The creation of a Youth Council fostered youth involvement in the project, while the community rallied with donations of furniture, games, and equipment. From the very start, the Youth Centre was well-received and it immediately became clear we were successfully meeting an identified need within our community.

Since opening its doors in 2015, the Centre has become an invaluable resource for youth aged 11-15. Open three days a week, all year round, the Centre has seen a steady increase in participation, with 156 youth accessing its services in the past year alone.

When asked about the importance of the Youth Centre, one youth shared, “Acceptance here is fantastic, and it’s a place we can all be who we are: youth”. This sentiment reflects the true intention of the program, to provide compassion, acceptance, and support for young people as they navigate this important chapter in their lives.

Thanks to Comox Valley Schools, the Village of Cumberland, and the Province of BC for their ongoing support of this program.

FMI visit our Youth Centre page or contact us directly.