Susan Johnston has been working with the Valley
East Youth Centre for over 23 years. In that time she has seen both the
highs and the lows. Today, as Chairperson for the Board of Directors, Sue
finds herself facing an uphill battle to keep the centre open. At the
present time the facility is open to youth on Friday evenings only, from 6
p.m. to 11 p.m. With so little funding available, about all the kids can
do now is play CD's, videos or engage in board games. There are two pool
tables available and a basketball game for those who have energy and feel
in the competitive spirit. Despite it's apparent lack of activity, it is
still a place that teenagers can call "their own".
The photos below give you a good idea of what is available. It is
actually a pretty nice facility - or should I say WAS!!!
During the week of December 5, someone broke into the Youth Centre and
sprayed everything with the fire extinguisher. It was a purely senseless
act of vandalism that has done nothing but put a damper on an already desperate
situation. It will take a professional company to clean up the facility to
proper health standards - a task for which the Board cannot afford. Even
if the place gets cleaned up, it is hard to say how long the facility will
remain open without more volunteers and a steady source of significant
income to fund the programs.
According to Sue, the biggest change that has impacted upon the centre
is the lack of money. "If we still had Provincial funding which once
allowed us to hire three full-time employees, we would be able to offer
our youth a very attractive program. Now that Provincial funding is gone,
and now that our Bingo revenue is gone, we have nothing left."
Indeed, additional funding would enable Sue to initiate programs on at
least three days of the week as well as improve the interior facilities to
attract more youth to the centre. There are about 200 young boys and girls
registered in the Valley East Youth Centre, but only about 10 or 12 show
up on Friday evenings on a regular basis.
The City of Greater Sudbury owns the building, so that is at least
helping to keep the Youth Centre going with volunteers such as Sue
Johnston. However, it is likely going to be up to the Corporate Sector to
step in with private sector funding if this community is going to continue
to have a Youth Centre much longer.
The Valley East Youth Centre needs the help of the community. If anyone
is interested in stepping forward, call and leave a message for Sue
Johnston. She is willing to listen to anyone who is in a position to help
out. And right now, Sue could sure use a helping hand.
