December 08, 2004

Manitoba is adding eight new Lighthouses, including two in remote northern communities, to encourage youth to choose positive spare time activities.

"Increasing recreational opportunities for youth has proven to be an effective approach to reducing crime and vandalism within the community," said Attorney General Gord Mackintosh. "Through Lighthouses, we are partnering with community groups and resources to provide interesting programming for Manitoba youth at risk."

A Neighbourhoods Alive! initiative, Lighthouses provides funding for schools, friendship centres and other community facilities offering a variety of recreational, educational or social after-hour activities organized by and for youth.

The new programs being added are:

• Community Youth Initiative Program, Cormorant, Man. Designed for youth aged
  12 to 19, the program will provide planned recreation and other activities at Cormorant School including leadership, basic first aid, budget planning and life skills. It will be open Fridays from 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturdays from 4 p.m. to midnight and Sundays from 4 to 10 p.m.

• East St. James Youth Lighthouse, St. James Anglican Church, 195 Collegiate St., Winnipeg. The after-school program is for youth aged 11 to 14 featuring cooking, homework club, craft program, monthly field trips, doing odd jobs for seniors and free time for TV, video games, board games, books and magazines. It will run Wednesdays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• Elmwood Community Resource Centre Lighthouse, Winnipeg will host activities at three locations. There will be recreational activities for 10 to 13 year olds at Kent Road School on Mondays from 3:30 to 6 p.m.; an online newsletter will be developed for teenagers at the Elmwood Community Resource Centre and Area Association on Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m.; and an Elmwood Community Cadet Corps for teens will be developed in co-operation with the Winnipeg Police Services at Elmwood High School on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

• Kiss-Kih-Noh-Tah-Hin (Show Me the Way) Lighthouse – Pukatawagan Youth Centre. Designed for youths aged nine to 17 and young adults aged 18 to 24, activities include cultural teachings, movie nights, dancing, pool games, evening outings, mentor programs, suicide prevention and intervention, drug and alcohol awareness, and leadership training workshops. It will be open weeknights from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

• Portage Friendship Centre Youth Leadership Development Lighthouse. The initiative will take place in the Eagle’s Fire Youth Centre at 350 Saskatchewan Ave. West and will provide youth aged 12 to 16 with skills to make informed, positive choices regarding their own lifestyle. The program includes workshops on project management, teamwork, conflict resolution and motivation on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with project research slated for Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

• Winakwa Youth Drop-In Centre Lighthouse, Winakwa Community Centre,
  980 Winakwa Rd., Winnipeg. This extension to an existing drop-in program for youth aged 10 to 17 will offer computer access, sports, cooking and homework help night. It will run Sundays and Wednesdays from 6 to 10 p.m.

• Youth For Christ – Portage Sports Jam Lighthouse. The program will provide recreation activities and workshops for youth aged 10 to 12 after school in North Memorial School, Portage la Prairie on Tuesdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Workshop topics will include dating, relationships, respect and prejudice.

• Youth Resource Drop-In Lighthouse – Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre,
  472 Selkirk Ave., Winnipeg. For youth aged 11 to 17, the centre will offer games, art workshops, computer access for job searches and educational workshops on topics such as drugs, alcohol, sexuality and family relationships on Saturdays from
  5 to 11 p.m.

"The Lighthouses program provides opportunities for Manitoba youth to pursue recreational activities that teach them life skills, self-esteem and positive values," said Mackintosh.

Since 2000, $1 million has been invested to establish 32 Lighthouses across the province.

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