There is nothing for young people to do in Prince Rupert.
That was the message from 25 students who met with service providers at a conference earlier this month designed to find out the wants and needs of young people on the north coast.
“It was so apparent that every youth in there was thinking the same thing: They just want something to do, something constructive for the weekends and evenings so they're not going out partying or going on the streets,” said Cst. Matt Ericson, one of the organizers of the conference.
At the end of the session, based on feedback and ranking of ideas, Ericson had a Top 15 list of what the students wanted. Topping the list was to re-open the bowling alley as a youth centre, something Ericson said he would love to see.
“When it comes to the bowling alley and youth centre, I would love to approach community groups and say 'this is what young people want, let's make it happen',” he said.
“Everyone is in agreement that we need something for youth, so why not work together on this?”
The second top request was a community council owned and run by youth to give young people a greater say in what happens in town, which was followed by the creation of a shelter for troubled youth.
“There is no emergency shelter for kids in town, so how do we help them and where do we send them,” asked Ericson.
Along with planning a second similar conference in the fall, Ericson said his hope is that the different service providers who work with youth will come together to enhance service in the region.
“I sit on so many different panels and all have to do with youth, so why are we reinventing the wheel? With all the crossing of work that is going on, why not get everyone together,” he asked, noting that all groups involved recognized something was missing before the conference was held.
“What we forget to do is ask the youth what they want, and asking that is so pivotal to giving youth what they need.”