By Medicine Hat News on June 2, 2023.
Newly secured funding will keep the doors of Medicine Hat’s Be YOUth Centre open for the immediate future, centre staff announced Wednesday. The non-profit centre, open to youth aged 11-17, announced last month it was at risk of closing due to financial constraints; however, a recent donation by agriculture industrial manufacturer S3 Group Ltd. has allowed the centre to remain open, albeit with reduced programming. Be YOUth Centre board vice-president Duane Kisch says staff and supporters are very grateful for the donation, which has secured another few months of operation at least. While Kisch confirmed centre staff will dedicate the time to securing additional funding sources, he says community donations are still needed and much welcomed. “It’s an ongoing situation,” Kisch told the News. “And it’ll always be that way … just because the operational aspect of it.” To conserve resources, staff have cut back on the number of programs operating, however primary programming, like the meal program and after-school drop-in program, are going forward. More information is set to be released in the near future. 8