The Flesherton based Hanley Institute is this year’s YMCA peace medallion recipient.
Jenny Hanley and some of the youth who enjoy the institute’s programs were in Owen Sound Thursday to accept the medal.
The institute, which was founded in 2018, focuses on being a kind, safe space for youth to hang out, take part in programs, learn and give back to the community.
Hanley says it has programs every day after school. “We have grade nine drop-in on Mondays, Tuesdays is Dungeons and Dragons, Wednesday is music club and chess club, Thursday is grade seven and eight drop-in and then after that is theatre club.” Hanley says Fridays rotate with the Sister’s Keeper’s club and the Boy’s Club. Hanley says the two clubs are for girls and boys respectively to decide what they want to do for the month, whether that’s paint night or laser tag or cooking classes among other things.
Hanley says she was an educational assistant for many years and went back to school because she felt kids needed more support than just what they were getting at school. “I went back to school and became an addiction counsellor,” says Hanley who notes she ended up leaving the job to become the legal guardian of a child in the program. She started renting space in the church in Flesherton and around that time was hearing stories about drug use among school kids, something she was surprised by and wanted to learn more about existing programs for kids but found there were not many.
“A week later a youth that I worked with died of a drug overdose. One of our last conversations was– he said, ‘You know Jenny, I wish I knew you sooner in life.”
“That just kept resonating and I just knew that I needed to do something for my community,” says Hanley.
She says the institute started with just two kids and rather than being reactive, Hanley wanted to be proactive and get kids in earlier, “Make those connections, have those open conversations and that’s kind how the Hanley started.”
The institute got its charitable status in 2020 and she bought the former St. John’s United Church.
“We started with two kids– we have over 100 kids coming a week for different programs,” says Hanley.
She notes there are great volunteers who show up faithfully and kids who have grown out of the project who still stop in to say hi.
The youth at the institute also do things for the community like help pile wood, make meals, or right now, they’re making mats out of milk bags for people who are homeless.
13 year old Loralei Nielsen says her parents volunteer there and she started going for the theatre program. “I was so passionate about theatre, I loved it so much,” says Nielsen, adding, “I didn’t really understand how much of an impact the Hanley had to our community until I was in grade seven and doing more programs. I was going to D & D (Dungeons and Dragons) I was going to after school, and I was really enjoying it. I was realizing Jenny has done such an amazing job with creating a family here. Everyone is so kind, Everyone is respecting each other.”
Nielsen says, “Multiple people find it’s not just a youth program or youth centre, it’s a safe space. It’s a place you can get warm food, you can warm up in the winter, there’s winter clothes. We have a station, we call it the closet. We can grab stuff whenever you need it.”
“I know I speak for multiple people when I say she’s brought so many smiles to the community,” says Nielsen.
Loralei’s father, Grey Highlands Deputy Mayor Dane Nielsen also spoke at the event, explaining, it has programs that appeal to people, who may self identify as unique. Who don’t naturally gravitate to the usual activities for youth that communities often offer like sports. What he affectionately terms (and self-identifies as) ‘geeks,’ or ‘nerds.’
“There are so many children in our community that fall through cracks of what we have set up as the normal youth experience,” says Nielsen.
14 year old Bryce Lanham says, “It is also a place where everyone is accepted and included. Kindness is always plentiful at the centre.” He says he’s benefited from going there, noting, “I have noticed increased social abilities and better self esteem.”
He recently received an award for volunteering. It came with a $100 prize. Lanham made sure to donate half of the money to the Hanley Institute.
Jenny Hanley says programs are free, the only price of admission is when kids come through the door, they have to look at themselves in the mirror and say something good about themselves.
The peace medallion is presented annually to a person or group whose efforts embody the values of peace. They are listed as participation, empathy, advocacy, community and empowerment.
The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce says, “Through its programs, The Hanley Institute empowers youth to participate in meaningful activities, practice empathy, and engage in community service projects such as helping neighbours, supporting seniors, and contributing to local arts and culture initiatives. Their efforts foster leadership, resilience, and a sense of agency among young people, helping them grow into responsible, empowered citizens who can positively influence their community and beyond.”
The Hanley Institute is the 14th group to be awarded the YMCA Peace Medal locally, as well as 28 individual recipients.
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