United Way of Perth-Huron
Organizers of the Goderich Youth Collective Leadership Program are calling the first iteration a success.
The free 16 week summer program at the Maitland Recreation Centre focused on helping the youth develop or strengthen their leadership skills and sense of connection to their community.
Child, Youth & Camp Supervisor Mo Cato says 13-17 year old youth got real world experience in leadership and volunteerism at the Goderich Children’s Festival.
“Helping navigate people through different events,” Cato tells Country 104.9 News.
“Interact with younger children that may need their guidance, so they felt empowered being in a leadership role.”
Cato says guest speakers and trips to the Maitland Valley Grotto were popular among participants, and will be sticking around for the forthcoming Youth Collective Leadership Program.
“One of the components we are going to add is financial literacy,” Cato says about the upcoming program.
“We want teenagers to understand the value of a dollar, and how you make money, and how your money impacts your local community.”
Coordinator for the Goderich Youth Collective Leadership Program, Danielle Mackay, says there will be more opportunities for community involvement in the next edition of the program.
“We are coming around Christmas time, so there’s a lot more people that are in need,” Mackay says.
“There’s a lot more organizations that need extra hands.”
The next Youth Collective Leadership Program runs once weekly from October 12th to December 21st at the Goderich YMCA.
You can apply by e-mail Danielle Mackay at danielle.mackay@swo.ymca.ca .