Group Group Youth gets sizeable Community Initiatives Program grant

Chris Davis

MLA Evan Berger and GGY Chair Linda Jones
C. Davis photo

Pincher Creek's Group Group Youth (GGY) was presented a cheque today, September 21,  by Livingstone-Macleod MLA Evan Berger.   GGY is to recieve $60,000 over two years under the Government of Alberta's Community Initiatives Program (CIP).  The money is to be put towards staffing costs at GGY's drop-in centre on Waterton Avenue.  "It's really exciting, because we need more staff," said GGY's Lynn Tenneycke.   "There's so much we want to do, but we need the staff to do it."


"The work you do here is very valuable," said Berger prior to the cheque presentation.  "I'm glad to see so many good improvements here."  GGY has been renovating their building, one step at a time.

GGY has a Junior Staff program that will benefit from the new funding.  Their leadership development program gives kids 14 and older work experience that helps them with future employment.
Kids are encouraged to volunteer as well, and volunteering looks good on a resume, according to Tenneyche.  "Some amazing kids have graduated up through the program and have gone on to do great things at other places," she said.

One of the common rooms at the centre has undergone extensive renovations, getting new windows and wainscotting.  According to Tenneycke, the roof is going to be fixed up soon, and the foundation will be getting some leak-proofing in the near future as well.

Group Group Youth Chair Linda Jones was enthusiastic about the impact GGY has on the youth it serves.  She referred to a common refrain among law makers and law enforcers, that deterrance is the most effective way to combat youthful crimes and harmful behaviours.  "This is it right here," she said.