Be Youth Centre will close without immediate funds

By KENDALL KING on May 19, 2023.

After 26 years of operation, Medicine Hat’s Be Youth Centre will close its doors permanently at the end of June unless new funding is secured.

In a letter released earlier this week, but dated April, the centre’s board confirmed “financial constraints and a lack of sustainable funding” have made continued operation unfeasible, despite need for the services.

The centre, which is open to youth aged 11-17, operates several programs which are no-cost to participants, including its daily drop-in, three-times-weekly supper program, summer vacation program, as well as its intermittent outreach, employment and experts programs.

Board vice-president Duane Kisch said the decision to close the centre wasn’t easy as numbers of youth accessing it have remained steady in recent years. From September to June, roughly 50-60 youth access the centre each week.

“We honestly don’t want to shut it down,” Kisch told the News. “The kids do like going there (and) the numbers have been going up steadily in the last year from what they were at.

“And something like this is necessary. It’s a safe spot where (youth) learn life skills and can be with other kids that are the same age … They benefit from being able to participate and meet and talk to kids – it helps with social skills.”

While the centre is set to close June 30, Kisch says if funding could be secured in time, there is a potential to stay open.

“We are constantly in the hope that if we find financial funding, or something that will help us out in fundraising,” said Kisch of himself, his fellow board members and the centre’s five staff. “(If we could), we would stay open for as long as we could.”

The centre is hosting a public meeting regarding the pending closure May 25 at 6 p.m., which Kisch welcomes all Hatters to attend.