Great work being done for students at KYAC

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/09/2015 (3670 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s back-to-school time when students, parents, and teachers begin another exciting school year.

Schools in our area are well-known for their great classroom education, but there are also many after-school programs that are important to our children.

One example is the Kildonan Youth Activity Centre (KYAC) that opened its doors 22 years ago at Edmund Partridge Community School. The idea came about after the principal noticed many of the school’s students hanging around the local 7/11 and McDonald’s after school. He decided to open the school gym for a drop-in basketball program two nights a week.

Since then, KYAC has evolved to offer a range of programs for students at five schools: Edmund Partridge Middle School, École Seven Oaks Middle School, Governor Semple School, Forest Park School, and École Riverbend Community School.

KYAC is now a free-of-charge youth drop-in program offering art and guitar instruction, sports, and occasional field trips. These important programs offer opportunities to young people who may have otherwise gone without, in addition to providing mentorship, guidance and a chance to make new friends in a safe place.

When school is out, the fun continues with a summer drop-in program that this year attracted 2,800 participants. During the summer, KYAC youth can also join the Rotary Leadership Group and gain 60 hours of volunteer experience within their community. Early exposure to volunteerism can inspire a lifetime of community involvement and is an important hands-on educational tool.

Chelsea Volkart, KYAC program co-ordinator, has seen first-hand the effect the program has had on youth in the area. She observes that “there are not a lot of programs that are free out there. Programs like KYAC fill the gap between school and home with an opportunity to build positive relationships with other kids, school staff, and the greater community. And it’s easy to get involved”.

I’m happy to report that KYAC recently received a Sport and Recreation Opportunities Grant from the provincial government. New equipment for their very successful after-school basketball program will be purchased, as well as dodgeballs and skipping ropes for younger participants.

Our government is committed to recognizing and supporting local grassroots initiatives that provide valuable programs for families in their own communities.  
Congratulations to Chelsea and all of Kildonan Youth Activity Centre’s volunteers, staff, and students for making the program such a success.

If you would like to learn more about KYAC, or if you have any questions or concerns you would like to discuss, please contact my community office at 204-582-1550 or Gord.Mackintosh@YourManitoba.ca