I was fortunate enough to have a tour of the Fusion Youth Centre in Ingersoll, Ontario last month. Craig Boddy has been with the organization for over a decade and seen many transitions. The building is a former school, purchased by the municipality, when youth crime was a burgeoning issue.
The centre was established in 2006 to provide a safe space for kids after school. It offers a wide range of programs and facilities, including a gymnasium, lounge, kitchen, recording studio, and tech centre. The centre has seen changes in its age group, membership fees, and programming to adapt to the evolving needs of youth. Craig shares success stories of youth who have benefited from the centre and emphasizes the importance of community support and partnerships. He also discusses the challenges of keeping up with youth trends and the positive impact of the centre in preventing youth from engaging in negative behaviors.
Takeaways
* The Fusion Youth Center in Ingersoll, Ontario, provides a safe space for kids after school and offers a wide range of programs and facilities.
* The center has evolved over the years, including changes in its age group, membership fees, and programming to meet the changing needs of youth.
* Community support and partnerships have played a crucial role in the success of the center, with organizations like United Way Oxford providing funding.
* The center has had a positive impact in preventing youth from engaging in negative behaviors and has seen success stories of youth who have benefited from its programs.
* Challenges include keeping up with youth trends, such as technology and cyberbullying, and the limitations of being part of a municipality in terms of funding and decision-making.
During our conversation, Craig mentions a study and paper that was authored and produced through the University of Guelph. The two authors were Heather Cross and Al C. Lauzon. You can find it online here: Fostering Rural Youth Wellbeing through Afterschool Programs:
The Case of Fusion Youth and Technology Centre, Ingersoll, Ontario (2015)
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