Sunday, February 16th, 2025

Clearview council is supporting an initiative tabled by Deputy Mayor Barry Burton that could result in a home for organizations that provide youth services.

Councillors voted Oct. 26 to strike a new youth services committee to work out the details but the goal is to partner with existing organizations that provide youth services, establish a facility from which they can work and ultimately bring in mental health counselling and other services.

“There are so many challenges facing the youth of today; peer pressure, bullying, mental health, social acceptance. These issues are even more prominent in smaller rural communities,” reported Burton. “It is important to provide a safe location where our youth can meet on a social level (drop-in centre) and have positive interaction with their peers. This location should also be able to provide adult guidance and mentorship along with mental health counselling.”

Representatives from The Door, the United Way and RAY’s Place spoke in support of Burton’s proposal.

The Door, a Christian youth centre in Stayner, has been looking for a new home since last year. Director Jen Gerrior was before council in February asking to partner with the municipality in the hope of finding a long-term home so youth feel they have a place to go.

“Having a space shows them that they matter and that Clearview is willing to support them,” said Gerrior.

The Door volunteer Tim Spence said he knows first hand there is a need for such services in the township.

He told council he started to make poor decisions after his mother died when he was only 13. He said he struggled with addiction and mental health issues and would have benefited from a youth centre.

“That’s what I needed growing up – guidance and leadership. We need to focus on that as a community,” said Spence.

United Way of Greater Simcoe chief executive officer Dale Biddell said the organization has a new funding stream for a solution-based approach to specific needs.

“Subject to a strong business plan, the United Way would be willing to consider this,” she said.

Burton is proposing a $100,000 tax surplus from last year be used as start-up money for the facility.

Once all the numbers were crunched at the end of last year’s budgeting process and the county and education taxes were factored in, councillors were left with a decision: Lower the tax rate or put the extra money into reserves. They chose the latter and at the time Burton expressed his hope that some of the money could be used to get the ball rolling for youth services.

Burton is estimating that leasing a space will cost the township about $18,000 per year. The partner organizations would be responsible for their own funding and mental health services would be sponsored by the United Way, other non-governmental organizations and government grants.

Deborah Bronée was the only councillor to vote against the formation of the committee, saying that she wanted to see private sector options explored.

“I feel like we are putting the cart before the horse,” she said, adding the solution should be community based.

“We need to walk before we can run,” countered Burton. “It is a community driven solution, we are just providing a facility.”

Councillor Shawn Davidson said the intent is to get it rolling, give the committee time to create the terms of reference. He said, using Burton’s calculations, there is enough money to underwrite the project for five years.

“I think we all know there is a need but can we make it work?” he said.

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