Barbecue helps bring together community

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/07/2012 (4993 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One whole block of Aberdeen Avenue was closed off on June 21st for a community barbecue held annually by Inner City Youth Alive.

The sounds of music and laughter, the smell of roasted hot dogs, and a sense of excitement filled the air. A mix of young and old milled about at the petting zoo, carnival games and food lines. Families were relaxing together, talking and enjoying the food and celebratory atmosphere.

Neighbours were saying hello to one another. Kids were proudly sporting colorful works of art on their faces and toting balloon animals and cotton candy. Mick E. Moose, the Winnipeg Jets mascot, entertained everyone with his antics, the Winnipeg Police Service showed up on horseback, and Tim Hortons gave out coffee and Timbits.

Approximately 500 people were in attendance, despite the number of events commemorating Aboriginal Day held across the city. The barbecue was capped off with a performance by Fresh IE, a local, award-winning rapper with a heart for youth in the North End.

Hours and hours of preparation go into this community event ever year, but ICYA values the way it brings people together to have a good time, focusing on the positive and connecting with neighbours.

Although ICYA invests a great deal of time and money, it also relies on the generosity of businesses like Toledo Food Services and Red River Co-op, which donated the hot dogs and pop.

This year, ICYA decided to include more of a cultural flavor in the entertainment with Ryan Richard, a jig dancer, Mario Devon-McDonald, a grass dancer, and Jason Lepine, a fiddler. ICYA’s own band performed as well. It includes Simeon Smith, a talented guitarist who grew up attending ICYA programs and plans to attend university to become a music teacher.

Inner City Youth Alive’s aim is to bring “hope to the core” by reaching out to youth and their families in the core in a holistic manner by providing positive activities, new skills, and spiritual care.

One of the organization’s programs, Inner City Motorsports, was recently awarded a grant by the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation. Through rebuilding cars and racing them (and now dirt carts as well), youth aged 12 to 20 learn teamwork, experience mentorship, and develop skills in welding, auto body repairs, and painting. Many go on to study at R.B. Russell or Tec Voc and get jobs in the field.

The organization also operates a wilderness camp, drop-in programs, meal programs, leadership development and work skills development. They partner with St. Aidan’s Anglican Church to provide a small private Christian school to kids in grades five to eight. Three community ministers are available in the North End to offer a listening ear or a helping hand wherever needed.

Inner City Youth Alive has been in operation for 26 years. For more info, see www.icya.ca.

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The Main Street Farmers’ Market is open Fridays from 2 to 7  p.m. at Main and Euclid Avenue.

Sonya Braun is a community correspondent for the North End. You can contact her at sonyajoy@gmail.com.