Chili cook-off to raise funds for youth drop-in centre

By Joan Janzen

The first steps are being taken to secure a new youth drop-in centre in Kindersley. A chili cook-off and dessert auction will be held at Clearview Community Church on April 19 to raise funds for the endeavour.

The chairman of Youth for Christ, Myron Beswitherick, said the first step was a visit to the town to discuss possible suitable locations and the regulations involved.

PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN

Chairman of Youth for Christ, Myron Beswitherick, says a chili cook-off and dessert auction on April 19 at Clearview Community Church will help raise funds toward a new youth drop-in centre in Kindersley. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN

“Our goal is to find a central location so that it can be easily accessible for the youth of our community,” he said. “While we are searching for a suitable building, our main priority is to hire a staff person who will run the drop-in centre.”

YFC is currently looking to hire a Kindersley Youth Outreach Director. They are seeking a dedicated director to join their team and contribute to their mission of serving others and bringing hope to hurting kids.

Meanwhile, a committee of community members has been formed. These are individuals who are active in the town and share the vision of seeing youth thrive and become healthy contributors to society, Beswitherick explained.

YFC is partnering with Clearview Community Church, Kindersley Alliance Church, Kindersley Christian Fellowship, New Life Church and Saint Olaf Lutheran.

“But you don’t have to be connected in any way to these churches to come out and support this great cause,” he said, as he extended an invitation to the upcoming chili cook-off. “We simply ask that you let us know that you are planning to attend by leaving a message by April 13 at one of the churches involved, so we can plan to have enough food.”

“Judges for the chili cook-off will be people from our community who have an appreciation and palate for the finer details of all things chili,” he said. “Mostly, we will have people who are ready to have some fun with this event.”

There will also be a dessert auction that afternoon, with all proceeds going directly toward impacting the lives of youth in the community.

The proposed drop-in centre will mainly serve junior high and senior high students.

“We see a clear need for our youth to have a safe place where they can belong and be accepted,” Beswitherick concluded.