I am reading with quite some concern about the sudden closure of the Change Now Centre for youth at risk.This is so important for our city that I feel a great need to strike a committee immediately and have an emergency meeting between the workers, the board and the management.
If I understand the newspapers correctly, it isn’t the kids and it isn’t the money that is an issue. I am led to believe that it is a board and/or management issue, maybe even a health and safety issue.. I understand that there was a recent shift in management . I am unclear as to the specific mandate of the centre, but for years it appeared to be to keep the avenue of communication open for youth at risk and to give them some haven, not for us to change them, but to give them some hope for themselves. We all need to keep changing and for them it is more difficult.
I hope this letter will be seen as supportive of any action you decide to make that will good for this special group of people and their support workers. MM
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I’m writing to express my concern about the closure of Change Now and to encourage you to act quickly to help this situation. The youth have done an amazing job of organizing themselves to raise awareness and gather support.
This shelter and drop-in is so badly needed by our community. 200 youth go homeless in Guelph every year. Change Now has an impressive legacy of supporting youth, through their programming, shelter and other supports. The workers are continuing to do so, as best they can, without the organizational supports.
Guelph can’t wait to reopen a shelter for youth. There are youth who need it now, and workers who are ready to resume their duties. I know you’re all very upset by what’s happened, as is the community at large. I look forward to hearing tonight as to how council is going to rectify this issue. We can all work together to get this fixed! NF
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I heard about the closing of Change Now and I am hoping that you will do everything you can to figure out why it closed, to press for a short term/long term solution, and inform the community of the situation as it progresses. AP