By Janaia Hutzal
For Black Press News Media
On May 19 Wolf Creek Public Schools’ board of trustees voted to extend its lease agreement with the Ponoka Youth Centre Association to continue to provide out-of-school care for local children and youth.
In September, another branch of the organization will be opening in Lacombe at the École Lacombe Upper Elementary School: BGC of Wolf Creek Lacombe.
Beth Reitz, executive director of the Ponoka Youth Centre, which is the current legal name of umbrella organization that also includes BGC (formerly known as Boys and Girls Club) of Wolf Creek serving Ponoka, Rimbey and now Lacombe, said they are very grateful for the support they have received from Wolf Creek Schools. The program has been located in the Ponoka Primary School since 2006; as well.
The Ponoka Youth Centre was initiated by community members in 2001 and has continued to evolve over the past two decades. Presently the organization has over 20,000 visits per year and each program quickly fills to capacity.
“Right now, we are trying to decide how many ways we turn because every way we turn we need to do something,” said Reitz, stressing the importance of community support and fundraising.
Reitz, who came on board in 2003 and was part of developing the after-school programs and summer camps in Ponoka, said that a recent needs assessment survey sent out to families of Lacombe’s primary grade school students showed that 65 per cent of those who responded would access an out-of-school program.
With a mission of being a “safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life,” Reitz said that based on the growth over the past 20 years in the other communities, she expects it will be much the same in Lacombe.
After visiting the program and reviewing the surveys, Tim De Ruyck, superintendent for Wolf Creek Public Schools, agreed.
“A lot of families are taking advantage of the program,” he said about the Ponoka location. De Ruyck added that a program that works with individual children and families is “very complementary” to the work they do as a school division.
“It is a win-win for all.”
Reitz said that through the pandemic they saw the needs of the communities’ families and children change and the increase of expenses to comply with restrictions set them back.
“Especially in Grades 5 to 8 – we are seeing hardships in those kids socially,” said Reitz.
The age group that the organization will first offer after-school care for in Lacombe is kindergarten to Grade 6.
Although the association does its best to accommodate all community children, if a child’s needs are greater than what they can provide, Reitz explained that they strive to assist parents in finding other available resources.
Because it is licenced childcare, parents can also apply for government subsidies to help with the program fees.
When single mother Jennica Jones moved to central Alberta three years ago with two special needs children, who are now 18 and 10, she said she was impressed with how the team members of the Rimbey and Ponoka branches took a “whole family approach.”
Jones said her youngest has benefited greatly from the after school program and the Torch Club, which teaches leadership. She added that even though her oldest was not a program participant, it was helpful in providing connections for her son.
“It really stuck with me and shows me how much they care,” said Jones.
With each age group presenting unique and evolving needs, Reitz said they will continue to assess and prioritize, presently keeping in mind consistency and safety in younger children, mental health in teens and social adaptation in between.
“Whatever that takes, that’s what we do,” said Reitz of the non-profit’s commitment to meet the needs of children in central Alberta.
For more information, updates and fall registration, BCG Wolf Creek Lacombe invites you to follow its Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BGC-Wolf-Creek-Lacombe-100728859325717/.
If you or your business is interested in supporting the non-profit or attending one of the fundraisers that are held in each community visit https://ponokayouthcentre.com.