Youth are seen here gathering to play games with Beacon Youth Centre volunteers and OPP and auxiliary members. /Sarah Hyatt/MBC
Annually, thousands of kids make their way to the Beacon Youth Centre in Brighton.
Last year alone, the centre recorded more than 6,100 youth visits.
“There’s a real need for teens to have just a safe (place), a sense of safety and a sense of acceptance,” says long-time volunteer and former director René Schmidt.
Meanwhile, in addition to space to play games like pool or chess, the volunteer-powered centre also helps connect kids with area services and tackle hunger.
“We’ve had kids tell us this is the best or the first hot meal I’ve had today,” adds Schmidt.
However, the youth centre is among local charities also feeling the pinch amid rising living costs – and has long operated on a “shoestring budget.”
To that end, the youth centre has to fundraise and has a first-time silent auction coming up on Nov. 21 at Brighton’s King Edward Park Arena. Volunteers are hoping the community will answer the call and help the centre to keep helping local youth.
Schmidt says a number of businesses have already stepped up to help with the auction.
And that’s not all.
There’s everything from steam-cleaning to professional cleaning services for homes and cars people can bid on, to dinner experiences, to gift certificates and boxes – even a yard worth of mulch or gravel, and more.
The auction fun is on Friday, Nov. 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. – the same night as the Brighton Santa Claus Parade.
If the fundraiser is a success, the Beacon plans to make it an annual event.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
