Minister of Justice and Public Safety Doug Currie today congratulated the residents at the Prince Edward Island Youth Centre in Summerside on the successful completion of this year’s Baby Barn program. This program, under the direction of youth workers, provides for youth in the centre to build baby barns and the proceeds from the sale of barns are given back to the community.
“Many of the young people at the Youth Centre are no strangers to challenges in life,” said Mr. Currie. “This makes their recent gesture of giving back to the children of Prince Edward Island that more significant.”
According to Pierre Gaudet, a youth worker involved in the program, it offers a wide range of benefits. “It not only provides the youth with the opportunity to develop important life-skills, like planning, working as part of a team, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from building something with your own hands, but it also allows them to contribute directly to the community.”
This year the youth chose to donate the money to the Esther Finkle Fund for Kids. This fund fulfills small dreams for children such as a new bike, music lessons, a week at summer camp and much more. The fund has been in operation for over ten years and has brought countless smiles and joy to Island children. The proceeds of this program will be translated into happiness for children and the youth at the Youth Centre have discovered the rewards in giving back and making a difference in the life of another.
Mr. Currie also acknowledged the generous support of Stephen Thompson of Discount Lumber and Window. “Their support of the young people at the centre is an example of the wonderful generosity of Islanders within our One Island Community.”