Attention: Membership Payment

Just a heads up for members of the centre who haven't paid their membership fees yet:

If you haven't paid for your membership, we are asking for you to do so within the next week. We need to collect the money asap so the sooner you can get it in, the better.

Thanks in advance!

Fat Tuesday And Why The EYC Makes It Awesome

On Tuesday, February 24 (today) the EYC will be serving pancakes for lunch and dinner.

Come on in and enjoy some Fat Tuesday pancakes for $1.50 at the EYC. Proceeds from the pancake sales are going to fundraising for some new computers. So not only will you get some great pancakes, you'll also be helping out the EYC bigtime.

Hope you can stop in and enjoy some good ol' fashion flapjacks!

Girls Night: Bring Your Siblings!

This Wednesday, Girls Night will have a few extra members.

We're hosting our first-ever Siblings Night at the EYC for female members to bring their siblings. Whether it be an older or younger sister or brother, all are welcome for a spaghetti dinner, night of movies and socializing. For older members the meal is $1 and for siblings it's $4.

The first siblings night is ocean themed: Sylvia will be bringing in Finding Nemo, providing colouring pages for the kids and multiplayer games for them to play on the centre's Playstation 3. If you don't have a sibling, don't worry either: Friends are allowed instead of a brother or sister since we understand that not all female members have siblings.

The event starts at 4:00 for older members so they can prepare the spaghetti dinner and then siblings are asked to arrive after 4:30.

Hope all of our female members and siblings or friends can make it for a great time!

EYC Unsolved Mysteries #1

Scanning through old articles about the EYC, I've come across a few mysteries.

I am posting this entry in hopes that people in the community reading it can help. I am only up to 1982 in the centre's history so the following unknowns are regarding events in 1981 and the year that followed.

First of all, while there was an initiative started in late-1980 to keep youths off the streets, there is no mention of the youth centre itself until April, 1981. I am assuming that it came as a result of this initiative but there is no documentation that actually confirms it for me. Furthermore, I have nothing saying who decided to start the youth centre club or oversaw its formation in the early-80's. The only thing I can confirm for certain is that the centre existed for four months by April 17, 1981. Even this gives me a vague timeline however: Was the EYC unofficially started in late-December, 1980, or early-January, 1981?

The next article I have was published a month and a half later: On June 5, 1981. At this time, there were 33 members that were 13-years-old waiting for applications to be processed. If they got a permanent residence, the centre would then open itself up to youth ages seven to 12. At this time, Councillors Wayne Miller and Ric Woltz were to review events being held by EYC. (These included ushering at the Windsor Light Opera, selling Ronald McDonald buttons to help support the home for relatives at Toronto's hospital for sick children, participating in the Soybean Festival fundraiser dance and phoning blood donors for an Essex clinic.)

From there the next article I have was published on October 3, 1981. In it, the journalist from the Essex Free Press writes...

"Essex council will put an offer on the former Deline property at 14 Fairview Avenue West with closing date of January 15, 1982.

Mayor Gerald Schinkel said it was wise for the municipality to reserve the property for future use. It is adjacent to the town's ball diamonds."

Then, from our own history section on the official EYC website:

"The Board of Directors started programming in a soon to be demolished condemned house, then were allowed to operate out of an old garage thanks to Earl Burstyn, then the municipal offices for administration purposes and using schools and the Field House."

So is this place on 14 Fairview Ave. W the condemned house that was soon to be demolished? If not, where was the soon to be demolished house located? It sounds like the EYC moved there sometime between 1982-1984 according to the website's history page. Also, there's actually mention of a Fairview Ave. home later in the history section but it wasn't used by the youth centre until 1988. This ended up being the EYC's HQ until 1996 and was property leased from the Town Of Essex -- making it likely that this was actually the house on 14 Fairview Ave. W that was mentioned in the 1981 Free Press article. Either way, there's nothing to confirm that (unless it's in a 1988 article that I haven't gotten to yet.) Also, did the EYC ever expand to involve youth ages seven-12 once they received a more permanent residence? How long until they were able to do this if not?

The next article I have after this is almost a full year later. It appears to be written for the Essex Free Press by someone working for the youth centre but neither the publication nor the author are visible in the copy I have. Anyone have an idea of who was writing articles for the EYC back then? I'm 95-per-cent sure that it was printed in the Free Press but would also like some confirmation if anyone has it.

Finally, many more questions are raised in this September 23, 1982, "What's New At The Essex Youth Centre" article as people are mentioned, some by their full names and some only by their first. In both cases, their positions at the EYC remain a mystery. This list is comprised of:

Tracy Ives (Involved with the centre somehow… member? Took part in a CBE Radio interview about EYC with author of September 23, 1983, article)
John Cundle (Involved with the centre somehow… member? Took part in a CBE Radio interview about EYC with author of September 23, 1983, article)
Chris-Anne (Involved with EYC I think... mention of a nine-week summer placement and volunteering on Saturdays -- need last name)
Claire (Put together plans for youth involvement at nursing homes, mentioned as someone to call at EYC. Need last name)
Gloria (Mentioned as someone to call at EYC. Need last name)

I also need the positions of each person on that list. Were they members, volunteers or staff? Anyone who knows the answers to any questions raised in this blog entry, please leave a comment or e-mail essexyouthcentre@yahoo.com (an e-mail address to contact you back with would also be grately appreciated.)

February 18 Girls Night Info

I just got an e-mail from our event coordinator (okay, so I received it at 1:45) with the plans for this week's Girls Night.

According to Sylvia, Wednesday will be Mega Twister Night and she's also hoping to get the health nurse in as well. If this doesn't happen there will be a movie to watch at the very least and it'll still be a fun time for the ladies to hang out.

Last Wednesday, girls went out to the Essex Family Fun Centre and had a blast. Entry is free for ladies who are already EYC members and non-members can either pay $2 for each Girls Night they attend or join the centre for $9 a semester.

Hope you can make it!

A Couple Notes...

Just a couple of notes to pass along:

- For those looking to submit anything to the Dare To Dream project, today is the last day for entries. Either visit the DTD Facebook group for more info or e-mail Jasmine at perfect.dreamer@hotmail.com.

- In case you didn't know, the EYC is closed Monday (Feb 16) because it's Family Day.

Have a great long weekend!

Dare To Dream Entries: Day Three

Leading up to the Friday deadline for Dare To Dream Project entries, we'll be posting some of what organizer, Jasmine Wood, has received so far. These submissions were picked randomly and will not necessarily be the winners: None of the judging has begun yet.

"-Again, For the First Time -
 
 
You meet my eyes, a flutter leaps
I feel a warmth creep through my cheeks.
I search for you but no one's there
Why must you always disappear?

This phantom of familiar feelings
Taking hold and grasping strong.
Slipping deep into my being
Please don't ever let me go.

Our flesh whispers in my dreams
Calling out its unknown meaning.
I hear your words and feel your touch
What's left behind is mist and dust.

Search the streets and still I cry
An unknown name without a sign.
On hands and knee's I search in vain
Reaching through dream darkened plains.

My throat is hoarse, my heart is raw
Still I push, love carries on.
I won't give up, will not give in,
Until this heart is yours to whim."

If you're between the age of 13-20 and would like to submit an entry to the Dare To Dream Project, please visit the Facebook group for more info or e-mail perfect.dreamer@hotmail.com.

The final deadline for entries is tomorrow, Friday, February 13!

Dare To Dream Entries: Day Two

Leading up to the Friday deadline for Dare To Dream Project entries, we'll be posting some of what organizer, Jasmine Wood, has received so far. These submissions were picked randomly and will not necessarily be the winners: None of the judging has begun yet. Today's entry is by Amber Schopp.

"So Far Away

I see you across the distance,
why are you so far away?
and then I realize
it was like that everyday. 

I wonder if you'll come back;
come back to me one day.

But I know deep inside,
it'll never be that way. 

What if I cross the distance
make my way back to you,
then what will happen
what would you do? 

Is it worth the journey
going back to that place?

Where I felt so happy,
but with so much space. 

Your too far gone now
I dont have the strength,
it's too hard for me
to go to such a length. "

If you're between the age of 13-20 and would like to submit an entry to the Dare To Dream Project, please visit the Facebook group for more info or e-mail perfect.dreamer@hotmail.com.

The final deadline for entries is Friday, February 13!

Dare To Dream

Before posting more entries from the Dare To Dream project, I thought it might be good to give readers here a bit more of a perspective on what the project is all about and how it came to fruition. The following article was written by EYC Public Relations Officer, Marc Rocheleau, and was printed a couple of weeks ago in the Essex Free Press and the Essex Voice:

"By Marc Rocheleau

Although many feel hopeless during their adolescence, one teenager is "daring to dream" of a way to help.

Having gone through depression, 16-year-old Jasmine Wood decided to do something about it. After working through her personal problems, the Essex Youth Centre (EYC) member used her creativity to help others suffering from depression. Wood wanted to create a book featuring art submitted by youth to raise awareness of this issue.

"A couple of years ago I went through a lot of stuff with myself," she said. "Just kind of making it aware for other teens is my goal."

Wood heard about the Dare To Dream program at the Town Youth Participation Strategies (TYPS) conference and thought it might be a way to reach out to others.

The Dare To Dream program is available for people 18-years-old and younger to promote mental health awareness. Project submissions are reviewed by a panel of youths and, if accepted, grants of $1,000 (for individuals) or $5,000 (for groups) are given.

Deciding to take the project on in March, Wood almost missed the deadline. After finishing the hand-written application, her mentor, EYC Executive Director, Sandy Larivee expedited it for review.

Although they received a $5,000 grant in June, Wood's exam schedule and summer job caused some delays. In September, Wood had more free time and received some help. Fellow EYC member Kelly Howe (17) created posters highlighting the project and Sylvia Caetano provided support during her placement. Child & Youth Worker Tanya Nash also got Wood on track, helping to organize and distribute posters beyond her 20 hour co-op.

"Tanya picked up the torch because it's an amazing project," said staff-member Sue Vermast. "It certainly isn't anything that warrants merely 20 hours. Jasmine's put in 200 and I'm quite sure Kelly's put in at least 200 drawing the posters.”

Every submission must fit on 8.5x11" paper, be 2D and no profanity is allowed. Despite these guidelines, no one has been limited so far.

"I got this really cool entry that I saw the other day," said Wood. "It was drawn but also had, like, kind of a poem but it was really cool. It was almost like Japanese anime kind of style and it was really cool."

Cash prizes will be awarded and first place will get their art on the cover – Wood is using judges from the school and EYC , including a social worker to decide the winners. Once completed, she's hoping to have an open house at the centre for participants to show and celebrate their work. Copies of the book will also be printed for local schools and have contact information for help.

People ages 13-20 can submit their art to the project by e-mailing perfect.dreamer@hotmail.com. For more information, contact the EYC at 519-776-9000 or visit the Dare To Dream Project's Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42077171361. Entries must be in by February 13."

Movie Marathon!

Just a heads up to let everyone know that we'll be having a movie marathon on Friday, February 27. Please let Sylvia know which movies you want her to bring!

Did You Know?

In scanning through some old articles relating to the EYC, I came across some interesting tidbits.

Although the centre was originally created in 1981 as part of a crime prevention initiative, business owners originally took a different tactic to keep idle youth from getting out of control. According to a November 13, 1980, article written by Lee Paiser for the Windsor Star, constibles began foot patrols in the area and posters were put in store windows warning that any shoplifters would be prosecuted (signs that are commonplace now.)

But the foot patrols: A bit strict don't you think?

Well not if you consider the following from a November 14 article in the Essex Free Press:

"Essex business people indignant about the increase in vandalism and shop-lifting are taking action.

Twenty-three of them met last week to organize for action. They seek ways to deal with the increase in public nuisance, damage, and in one case, the unprovoked stoning of a business woman."

An unprovoked stoning? Wow!

So for all teens reading this, the next time your parents or elders complain about your generation going down the toilet, just point them to this entry and remind them that it could be a lot worse!

Dare To Dream Entries: Day One

Leading up to the Friday deadline for Dare To Dream Project entries, we'll be posting some of what organizer, Jasmine Wood, has received so far. These submissions were picked randomly and will not necessarily be the winners: None of the judging has begun yet.

"Silence

I cannot speak;
There are no words left for me to say.
I cannot talk;
All that’s left is for me to pray.

Pray that you will see the agony,
That once lined my face.
Pray that you will see the tears,
That no longer leaves a trace.

The pain that once left me
Doubled over in horror.
The scars that have bidden me
No longer able to soar.

My smiles seems fake,
But it’s all that I can do.
My heart once did break,
Though I’m not entirely blue.

All that I try,
I cannot change back.
As though I’ve completely
Become lost from the track.

Silently I speak,
Though it sounds more of a yelp.
The word won’t come from my lips.
That word is help."

If you're between the age of 13-20 and would like to submit an entry to the Dare To Dream Project, please visit the Facebook group for more info or e-mail perfect.dreamer@hotmail.com.

The final deadline for entries is Friday, February 13!

Reminder: Dare To Dream Project Deadline Approaching!

For anybody ages 13-20 looking to enter the Dare To Dream project, the final date for entries is almost here.

If you want to win some cash through your artistic abilities, enter today! Express how you deal with feelings of hopelessness and depression through creativity and you could earn some cash. All accepted entries will be featured in a book that Jasmine Wood, an EYC member, is putting together to be distributed in the community.

For further information, please call the Essex Youth Centre @ 519-776-9000, e-mail Jasmine at perfect.dreamer@hotmail.com or visit the Dare To Dream Project's facebook group.

The deadline is Friday, February 13, so get your entries in fast!

EYC Super-Team #1 Released Today!

It's the comic book event you've been waiting for!

Issue #1 of the EYC Super-Team is now available down at the centre. With art by member Kelly Howe, the comic book chronicles the adventures of the EYC Super-Team, its members, friends and enemies. Each copy is $2.50 so if you want your own, please talk to Sylvia.

On a side-note, we're hoping to provide Adobe Acrobat versions of back issues on the EYC website so stay tuned!

Sports Night

Just a quick note to let members know that Sports Night is a go and will take place at gym B on Wednesday night from 6-8 p.m.

Hope you can make it!

Filling In The Blanks

Part of my job at the EYC is to compile and organize the centre's rather expansive history.

We'll be celebrating our 25th anniversary this year and as a result, I'm working on a project that will document what's been going on here for that period of time: How we've evolved, what events we've done, our different homes, etc...

This is where I need some help though.

Although I have several photocopied newspaper articles at my fingertips, nothing is better than talking to someone who was actually here and experienced the things I'll be documenting. If you have any stories about the EYC or know a past member who would be willing to chat about their experiences, please drop me a line and let me know.

If it's a story or photo you don't mind sharing, I'll try to post it on the blog. Either way, all info will help with the big project being unveiled sometime this year!

Girls Night: Wednesday, February 4

On Wednesday February 4, the EYC will be attempting to host a Girls Night once again.

Starting at 4:30 p.m., the EYC's Girls Night will go until 8 p.m. While the event is open to female teens, members from the EYC get in for free and non-members must pay a small fee. The first night is free for everyone however and will consist of getting to know one another.

Sylvia will help break the ice with all who make it and then she'll be putting on a movie (most likely The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants -- unless those attending want to watch something else.)

So if your a female teen, we hope you'll come down to the centre and join us!