Mission
With its low volume of new local employment opportunities and a population that’s surprisingly young (median age is 36), the city of Mission is home to a disturbingly high number of homeless youth. The Youth Unlimited team in Mission has a deep desire to help those who are poor and to bring social justice to the city. We work alongside of the community’s homeless youth, and provide support and offer programs to families and youth at risk.
Youth Leadership Program
The Youth Leadership Program at the Leisure Centre is a new program for 13-18 year olds designed to organize, build trust, and collaboratively create solutions for problems impacting their community. Group activities are designed to harness knowledge and action to solve challenges. Youth will experience the benefits of group action and the power of open sharing while drawing on each participant’s strengths and perspectives as the group works to accomplish a common goal.
• Every Second Week starting March 18-May 6 (except April 1) • $32 (Scholarships Available) • Meet in the Youth Longue at the Leisure Centre
• Program Contact: Calvin Williams
Jesters Theatre
(for more information go to www.jesters.ca)
With a highly competitive work environment in their future, shouldn’t parents discourage kids from “wasting” their time on the dramatic arts? Studies indicate a resounding “no!” Theatre enables kids not only to develop artistic skills, but mental, physical, and interpersonal skills as well. Studies show that these kids do better in standardized testing, have improved self-confidence and benefit from having developed the ability to follow a timeline, use self-discipline, cooperate with others and accept feedback.
Open to the entire youth-aged community, Jester’s Theatre was created not only with those practical benefits in mind, but also to inspire young people to love theatre within the context of a Christian discipline environment. Through an eleven-week fall theatre club, Jester’s students learn basic acting, dancing, and backstage skills. The season culminates with a full-scale drama production. During the off season, students help write scripts for upcoming shows and participate in the Jester’s spring break and summer camps.
Jester’s is a safe place where children can learn and grow in personal confidence. We’ve had the joy of watching many kids overcome fears, embarrassment, and feelings of inadequacy. We’ve seen children once overcome with stage fright take speaking roles, and teens who once only cared about themselves become leaders responsible for choreographing and directing stage movement.
• Program Contact: Sharon Wiebe
Edge Youth
(for more information go to www.edgeyouth.ca)
Edge youth is our youth group that transforms the lives of youth by connecting them with God, positive relationships and positive change in their world and the world around them.
Mission Stepping Stones
(for more information visit our Stepping Stones facebook group)
Mission Stepping Stones Muffin Morning is a new program for teen moms to receive support, make new friends, bake healthy muffins and receive free childcare.
Would you like to support our project?
- Read about our Current Needs
- Read about where we are heading with Mission Stepping Stones
- Read about our Mission Stepping Stones Outlook
• Every Wednesday • 10:00 AM-12:00 AM • Location: Sts’ailes Community School (Rides Available)
• Contact: Erin Newton-Smith or call (604) 751-6619.
Youth and Parent Adventure Retreats
While Youth Unlimited is focused on the segment of society described in its name, it has long been clear that for the best outcomes for the youth, our work should be done in the context of their families; so we strive for this whenever possible.
It was that vein of thinking that conceived the idea of a retreat for youth and their parents, and in 2009, it became a reality. Located in Mission, Adventure Retreats offers free retreats to parents and their children. Through activities such as kayaking, fly fishing, forest walks and campfires, parents can bond with their children while staying in a bed and breakfast style suite in our staff’s home. Frequently a mom or dad will come with one or two of their children at a time. Although open all families, this opportunity is most encouraged for families in financially distressed circumstances. For some families this is a one-time adventure, but many others have made the retreat an on-going priority allowing us to form long-term relationships and walk alongside these families, supporting them as they navigate the ups and downs of rearing children in challenged family situations. For detailed information: www.AdventureRetreats.ca.
• Program Contact: Dave & Sharon Wiebe
Community
- One to one mentorship - transforming lives through advice, prayer, bible study, example and accountability.
- Creative Works - transforming lives through hand-on art projects that connect youth with their creative side and their creator.
- Restorative Justice - participation in initiatives to bring justice, resolution and healing to youth conflicts and other injustices in our society. This happens in Mission high schools and other venues.
- Project Playground - transforming youth and the Skatin First Nations community through reconciliation, building community facilities and giving youth the opportunity to serve.
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