Routes Newsletter

November 2019

10 Market St South Dundas, Ontario L9H 5G4 905-929-0572 www.routesyouthcentre.ca

Update from the Centre

It takes a community to care for kids

In the last few months we have seen the impact our

community has on our children & youth

development.

We strive to teach our youth the value of working

together and giving back to our community. We

saw events like our Scrap Metal Drive and Fall

Wing Night Fundraiser bring out some of our

youth’s strongest characteristics. Whether it was

assisting with the muscle power of picking up scrap

metal, or their excellent customer service in serving

wings, our youth demonstrated the power of

community.

As we enter into the colder months we are working

on building upon self-advocacy. We will help youth

gain theses skills by educating them on their rights

and raising awareness about our community

responsibilities. Our workshops this month have a

common goal of helping all children & youth

regardless of the situation they are in to acquire

skills & attributes that lessen their vulnerability to

harm.

Ontario Dress Purple Day delivers the message

that children and youth have a right to safety and

well-being and that help is available. Our Lessons

will help engage children and youth in conversation

about their safety and well-being. We will talk about

healthy relationships versus unhealthy

relationships. Youth will learn about building

healthy relationships with trustworthy adults that

they can seek for support when dealing with

challenges. A strong and positive sense of self-

esteem can help youth cope with stress, seek out

healthier relationships, and maintain boundaries.

Youth with strong self-esteem are also more likely

to reach out for help when their safety and well-

being is at risk. Youth will also learn about self-

referrals and getting the appropriate services

needed to help them succeed.

We at Routes have a duty that is to continue to

maintain healthy relationships with our children &

youth, and develop a community that commits to

supporting the well-being and safety of our youth.

Warren Duncan

10 MARKET STREET SOUTH, DUNDAS, ON, L9H 5G4 905-929-0572 www.routesyouthcentre.ca

The Board’s Corner

Routes is so very much a part of the Dundas

community. On Friday, October 25th, some 200

people enjoyed our Family Wing Night, which was

made possible by the Copetown Lions Club,

Dyments Farm Market, magician Brandon Love and

some 45 youth, parents, staff and board volunteers.

We extend a sincere thank you to our many

supporters for this and the Scrap Metal Drive also

held in October. People are eager to support

Routes because of the stable environment, caring

presence and advocacy that Routes staff provide

for our local youth.

At this time, we are recruiting new board or

committee members to add to our talented and

dedicated group. As more and more youth are

coming to Routes, the board needs people with

different skill sets than we’ve had in the past. In

particular, we hope to see people with experience

in volunteer management, public relations &

marketing and fundraising initiatives, who are

willing to commit about 10 hours per month. But

we’d like to talk with anyone who has a passion to

making a difference in the lives of young people.

Applicants can send a resume and cover letter,

outlining their interest, relevant strengths and

community involvement to my attention at

info@routesyouthcentre.ca.

We also ask you to consider becoming a member

of our Patrons Club, a dedicated group of

community-minded citizens who generously donate

in the order of $500 each per year. Through this

initiative, Routes has raised $25,000 per year since

2011 – again a significant sign of community

support. In addition to supporting our regular

programming, this contribution helps us to manage

through the ups and downs of our fundraising

cycles.

John van Vliet

SAVE THE DATE

Annual General Meeting - Mon, Nov 11

7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Routes Youth Centre.

Keith Sharp Photography -Sat, Nov 23

1:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.

Routes Youth Centre

*Free Family Portraits 1 8x10 and 2 5x7. Sign

up at routes as spaces are limited.

Cake Walk Fundraiser -Fri, Dec 13

6:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m.

Routes Youth Centre

*Youth Council lead. More Info to come!

Christmas Drive Dinner –Thurs, Dec 19

3:00 p.m. –7:30 p.m.

Routes Youth Centre

**Contact if you would like to contribute a

donation.

“Dundas Rotary Club cheque presentation to

Routes at the Family Wing Night”

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

*The Association of Dundas Churches

*St Mark’s United Church

*Dundas Baptist Church

*The Rotary Club of Dundas

* Dundas Sunrise Rotary

* The Lions Club of Dundas

*Hamilton Community Foundation

*Copetown Lions