A Joint-Use Redevelopment Project

Between

First Christian Church and Youth Unlimited Edmonton

North Edmonton has the highest number of group homes throughout the capital region. It is a broken and hurting part of our city with vast amounts of minors practically raising themselves.

Youth today are turning to drugs, violence, gang activity, and even prostitution as a means to survive. How is it possible that the area of town with the highest level of need, has the smallest level of support? Group homes definitely play their part in changing lives, but far too often youth today see them as another institution and not for the good they offer. Once they’re 18, they’re on their own. With little help or no support. What the youth today need is a solution. Somewhere they can belong. Something to feel a part of.

Youth Unlimited Edmonton (Youth For Christ) has been invited by First Christian Church (FCC) to build a multipurpose youth center in a portion of their 13407 97 Street, church facility basement.

The purpose of this center, tentatively called “The Cellar,” is to intentionally engage a richly diverse and largely un- reached portion of north Edmonton’s youth culture. Upon doing so, we aim to provide them with safe yet entertaining forms of social interaction. The Cellar will consist of a multi-functional youth drop in center, with or including interactive recreational areas, homework and arts spaces, and a musical arts venue with gaming, kitchen, and lounging areas. The Cellar is working to provide the youth in the community with a means of support, otherwise not easily found elsewhere.

Pastor Dan Taylor of FCC is a former youth worker who over the years has networked with many field workers with-in group homes and other youth facilities in north Edmonton. Dan and many of his contacts see an unlimited value in having a safe, and highly interactive alternative for youth to occupy. “Currently, there is nowhere for kids to hang out other than (Northgate Mall),” said Taylor. “Kids need somewhere positive to go, and right now there’s just nothing around here.”

That is where "THE CELLAR" comes in.

Being located just south of the Northgate bus terminal immediately adds appeal to The Cellar. Transportation is quite often a struggle for youth, however, that problem is nearly eliminated based entirely on prime location alone. That said, there is a lot of work to be done before any teens will be able or likely willing to hang out in FCC’s basement. The basement portion of the current youth center is under a complete renovation in order to make the center appealing to youth, to provide a safe place to hangout and work in. Given the opportunity to renovate the unused basement portion of First Christian Church, we believe we will be able to create a place for youth in Edmonton that is not only safe, accessible, and caring, but also one which will allow youth to explore and unleash their potential.

“Youth Unlimited Edmonton is an innovative influence on the youth culture within our communities and throughout the capital region. Through the willingness of our youth specialists to build positive mentoring relationships, YU Edm endeavors to transform individual lives into positive members of our community. We desire to see youth in the community to be accepted, the needy helped, and the victimized restored. This is the type of work that was exemplified by Jesus, and one by one, we will create a youth culture of encouragement, hope, realized potential, and positive social contribution.”

Although Youth Unlimited Edmonton and The Cellar Youth Center Project provides a faith based atmosphere, all are welcomed to the center regardless of race religion or orientation.

Project Beneficiaries

The primary beneficiaries of The Cellar would, of course, be the youth of Edmonton. Much of our programming and in- school work involves youth who are overlooked and at risk. We continuously endeavor to provide safe, nurturing atmospheres for these youth to not only survive but thrive.

Other beneficiaries include:

• The Surrounding Community: The Cellar Youth center would provide preventative opportunities to belong to and participate in positive activities that help all youth to reach their potential and to give them hope.

• The Surrounding Schools: A much needed and positive presence will alleviate some of the pressures teachers face as the youth center seeks ways to serve surrounding schools with positive social action and for increased involvement in those schools.

• The Arts: The music and arts community will be invited to perform in a mixed array of concerts and other events

• The Multi Cultural Community: Current ESL students, learning a second language, will be able to use a newly renovated and more comfortable homework/classroom portion of the facility

• At Risk Youth: Local group homes, which are seeking safe, self-contained environments, as outings for their youth in care will be able to look to The Cellar as an option for those youth to seek a safe and social environment

• The Recovering Addict: Attendees of Narcotics anonymous meetings who are seeking groups similar in age and demographic

Getting Involved: How Can You Help?

We are currently seeking financial partners for this project. We will be putting a final budget together as we gather quotes from vendors. We have not yet established a total cost but we are searching for people like you to get involved by donating time, money, and/or materials.

Youth Unlimited Edmonton has thus far been very fortunate in building strong relationships within Edmonton’s corporate community. However, we’re always looking to expand not only our vision of reaching youth in fun and dynamic ways, but also to expand our network of partners. Continuous growth of our support team enables us to take on more projects like The Cellar, and ultimately to transform more lives.

Demolition Stage (complete)

• Placing a garbage disposal bin in the rear parking lot
• Removing any and all garbage/clutter from basement
• Tearing down and removing debris from two walls
• Gutting both bathrooms

Renovation Stage (nearly completed)

• Rebuild both bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Cabinets (Kitchen and bathroom)
• Floors
• Classroom turned into kitchen area
• Office area for staff
• Stage area for venue/event nights
• Curtains
• Lighting
• Electrical work
• Plumbing
• Moveable venue walls for expansion upon entertainment events

Furnishing and/or Advertisement (seeking to complete)

• Couches, Tables, Chairs, Bar Stools, etc.
• Sound system
• PA system
• Desks for homework stations
• Pool table, Arcade games
• Video projector
• “Signage” (Possibly shared with First Christian Church)
• Video game consoles

Notes About the Neighborhood

In recent years, the City of Edmonton along with the Research Lab at the University of Alberta conducted several surveys and/or studies on the various neighborhoods that make up the city of Edmonton. Glengarry, the neighborhood in which the Cellar will be located showed some surprising and even disturbing results. Not only did results show a large percentage of single parent families, but it also reported that the number of offenses committed in the area by youth between the ages of 12-17 years old was nearly three times that of the city’s average.

With information gathered from the City Of Edmonton website, it can be easily concluded that Glengarry as a community is in desperate need of some love and grace. Statistically speaking, juvenile violent crimes are on the rise, and kids of the area are in obvious need of something positive to fill their time.

Neighborhood Numbers

• 310 people have moved into the Glengarry Community in the past year
• There are 180+ recorded single parent families in Glengarry Community
• There were 460.95 hospital emergency room visits in the past year. (82.87 per cent of those were hospitalized)
• Last year saw 334 incidents of property crime (2012)
• Last year saw 40 incidents of violent crime (2012)
• There were 49 offences committed by juveniles (2012)
• There are an estimated 75+ homes with low incomes
• 55+ houses in the area need major repair

Neighborhood Percentages

• 28% of homes are rented
• 20% of population are 20+ in age with less than grade nine education
• 25% of population is unemployed
• 30% of community income is spent on shelter costs

Community Information Pertinent to “The Cellar”

The Cellar (97 St.) sits in the middle of 4 neighborhoods – Rosslyn, Glengarry, Lauderdale and Killarney. The 4 neighborhoods encompass the area between 127 ave to 137 ave and 82 st. to 113A St.

The neighborhood of Calder has been included in the map because the 2010 Neighborhood Indicators (these documents are attached to the original email) released by the City of Edmonton shows that it shares many similarities with the other communities.

Summary of Important Statistics from 2010 Neighbourhood Indicators

Special Thanks to the following for their support and contribution to the Cellar Youth Project. We thank you for all you have contributed and for your continued support in helping today's youth.

Cormode and Dickson
Lehmann Plumbing
Muth Electrical
Nordic Mechanical Services
Builder's Floor Centre LTD
Duckerings Trucking
Beulah Alliance Church
Superior Lumber
Dulux Paint

 
If you would like to support THE CELLAR YOUTH CENTER PROJECT click the donate button below.