West Windsor drop-in centre fills void, helps youth

A new drop-in program for youth is filling a major void in services left behind when the College Avenue Community Centre closed down several years ago, say advocates.

MackenzieKovalizand Angela Thompson came up with Advocating Young Minds, an evening drop-in program for children under 14 located in a community housing building on St. Joseph Street.

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The two university students started the service after theCollege Avenue centre was shuttered in 2012. Some of the youth moved on to theSandwich Teen Action Group, which offers similar programs for children 14 or older.

"The Sandwich Teen Action Group does a lot of great things for the kids who are in high school."Kovalizsaid."But after the closure of the College Avenue Community Centre, it kind of seemed like there wasn't really much for the [youth] who were too young to start going there."

Filling the void

Creating a program for young children was an important move after the College Avenue centre shut down, said city Coun. John Elliott, who is also the executive director at Sandwich Teen Action Group.

He worked withKovalizandThompson to allow their program to get started in the action group building. He recognizes that parents can often struggle to find activities for their children.

"Some of the families, they can't afford to put them in sports teams," he said. "They don't have that luxury. Having after-school programs, where [children]can go, keeps them off the streets and out of trouble."

Advocating Young Minds is open twice a week, providingtutoring, nutrition programs, guest speakers and field trips between September and June.

There is room for about 30 children in the program. Organizers plan to add a third night in early 2017.

Finding a home

Kovaliz and Thompson initially housed their program in the Sandwich Teen Action Group building, but eventually moved into a spot provided byWindsor-Essex Community Housing Corporation.

Costs for the program are low because the housing corporation donates the space and community donations help pay for the computers and part of the nutrition program.

Kovaliz said she has tried to apply for grants, but has been unsuccessful so far. The program hasteamed up with a Tecumseh church and a few local businesses for fundraising events.

The two founders say they can see the difference the program has made in children's lives.

"Just seeing the change right in front of my eyes is very important," Kovaliz said. "I love that grassroots aspect that I can see day-to-day, month-to-month, the progress and how it's helping people."