A youth centre could help alleviate problems Jasper is encountering with young people, according to Youth Centre Canada officials.

Conference organizers with Youth Centres Canada made the statement in an interview with The Fitzhugh Friday, just before opening their Alberta conference in town. The group chose Jasper because it was central to many communities attending, and organizers wanted to connect with Jasper and Hinton officials. Forty-five representatives from 11 communities participated in the conference, with attendants ranging from Medicine Hat to High Level.

“If people knew how they change communities for the positive, they’d all want one,” said Dale Pearson, projects co-ordinator with Youth Centres Canada. “It works for many kids. In Jasper, what if you’re not into skiing or camping? It gives another option. Youth centres are a place where there is no intimidation.”

The conference aimed to develop a national strategy for the more than 500 youth centres in Canada.

“The models we share are proven. They’re based on evidence and best practices. We know that it works in small communities and urban environments,” said Pearson.

The group provides policies and procedures to start up youth centres,

“Sharing can save a year of hard work,” Pearson said.

Many communities ask if the centres are used by those who need them. Officials say they have proof the centres give youths another place to hang out.

“The kids who need it the most go,” said Les Voakes, executive director with Youth Centres Canada. “The youth centres create very natural hubs of information. They may not provide counselling, but it is a link to those services.” 

Youth centres don’t necessarily target at-risk teenagers and children, however they do help those groups.

“They’re not all high need, high risk, but they definitely go,” Voakes said. “To become a high risk youth is a short trip. They usually have no control over the issues. Many move to a new town, into a new school from a single-parent home, whereas two months previous, they were stable in their home. Things happen fast.”

A study conducted in the rural community of Lanark, ON found that the youth centre was the number one place homeless youth would turn to.

The main obstacle in creating youth centres is funding, Voakes said, as various government departments have bounced around responsibility for creating the centres.

“It covers so many agencies,” Pearson said.