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Greenwood Community Centre Gives Rural Youth Ways to Connect

Pets, pumpkin patches, coffeehouses and council meetings have all been on the agenda for the 14 Wing Greenwood’s Youth Council this fall.

Greenwood’s youth program, run mainly through 14 Wing Personnel Support Programs (PSP), has taken the foundation provided by the Youth Model, and used it to create dynamic, youth-directed programming that connects young people to their Canadian Forces (CF) community, and beyond.

“Our Youth Council is a very active group of young people,” said Eric MacKenzie, PSP Community Recreation Coordinator at Greenwood. “We get 13-15 teens out to our meetings every Monday.”

The Youth Council’s weekly meetings gather the young people of Greenwood together to develop new friendships, plan volunteering initiatives in the community, and prepare for events and activities. They plan everything from teen dances and coffeehouses, to ongoing partnerships with charitable organizations.

“We have eight social chairs, and they work hard to drum up support in the community,” said Eric. “The Youth Model has also challenged them to pick an organization, and really try to make a difference. We’ve established a partnership with CAPS, the Companion Animal Protection Society in Annapolis Valley, to give youth an opportunity to volunteer in the community. They’ve really opened their doors to us.”

Eric also appreciated how the Youth Model has provided funding for special projects and infrastructure. Through the Youth Model, the 14 Wing Community Centre was able to make upgrades to their skateboarding park. They’ve replaced two ramps so far, with more improvements on the way.

The upgraded park has been a huge hit with local teens. “I’m sure they’ll be out there everyday until the snow flies,” said Eric.

The Youth Model has also provided a framework for forging partnerships between youth, PSP and the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) in Greenwood to provide well-rounded support. The Greenwood MFRC has put together a resource library on employment, for example, and CF youth are taking advantage of this service as they look for part-time and summer jobs.

“It’s a challenge for youth in this area to find employment,” said Eric. “With Greenwood being such a rural area, these services are vital.”

On October 26, the youth council also gave back to the local MFRC by joining their annual Family Fall Pumpkin Festival at Dempsey’s Corner Orchard. The teens put together a haunted house for the event, and enjoyed a Sunday afternoon of spooking their CF community into the Halloween spirit.

The youth of Greenwood take a lot away from the various events planned with the Youth Model, but Eric feels that for many teens, there is nothing more valuable than the simple chance to connect. 

“For CF youth who’ve just moved, it lets them know they’re not alone. There are lots of new people on our council, and it gives them a way to make friends. It’s certainly a beneficial experience for all the youth involved.”