It’s official: youth of South Surrey and White Rock have a safe, sober and inclusive space to call their own.
The Youth Collective celebrated the launch of the Youth Space Friday at Sunnyside Hall in South Surrey’s Bakerview Park (1845 154 St.).
“It’s been a long time coming… a wild ride,” Youth Collective intern Kiko Kung told a crowd of youth and adult officials who gathered for the celebration.
The Youth Collective formed in 2012 to address a lack of activities for youth on the Semiahmoo Peninsula. While supported by adults, it has been driven by youth – from pursuing funding, to finding the best space, to planning activities.
In January of last year, the youth received positive news, when the City of Surrey offered dedicated time in the hall as a pilot project. Over the six months that followed, more than 200 youth aged 13 to 24 years old participated in meetings, activities and events.
The pilot enabled organizers to “solidify the approach” to the Youth Space, said Penny Bradley, executive director of Alexandra Neighbourhood House.
Friday’s launch followed $250,000 in upgrades and improvements to the hall, including new paint and flooring. Youth who addressed the crowd described the dedicated space as “super-important to us” and “almost a safe haven.”
Daniella McNeil, 15, spoke of losing a friend to suicide two years ago, and how it led her into a journey with mental health, anxiety and other issues.
“I feel like I am capable now,” McNeill said of the impact joining the Youth Collective has had for her.
Fisher Brown spoke of finding a place where he could learn and share new skills – he described himself as the collective’s “resident DJ and sound engineer” – and meet people who he knows he’ll stay connected to “for the rest of my life.”
One 17-year-old told Peace Arch News that for her, the Youth Collective is a place where she fits in.
Noting she grew up in a wealthy Asian household – a privileged home – she said that contending with disability, mental illness and LBGTQ is “not the greatest” in such an environment.
“Although I fit in with those people, I never really did because of those parts of me,” she said. “When I came here, I felt like I was a lot more accepted than I’ve ever been in my life.”
Angella Li told PAN she was surprised by how accepting the Youth Collective members were of her getting involved; that she immediately felt she was important.
“It really just gave me a place to be… almost a sense of purpose,” Li said.
“It’s more than just something to do.”
Kung’s position and that of Youth Space organizer Eva McMillan have been supported by the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, which has committed nearly $144,000 to the roles over three years. Coast Capital Savings has funded a Kitchen Table Drop-in Project, for youth aged 16-24 who are transitioning to adulthood.
The Youth Space is open Monday to Friday. Visit www.alexhouse.net/youth-collective, email youthcollective@alexhouse.net or call 604-538-5060 ext. 28.