The Kemptville Youth Centre [KYC] held an open house last Wednesday and welcomed their new Program Coordinator to the organization. Mehgan Zonneveld started working at the Centre as a school placement last year. After graduating with a diploma in Child and Youth Care from Algonquin College, Mehgan stepped into the role, replacing previous Program Coordinator, Maura Lepore.
Mehgan hopes to bring some new programming to KYC and attract more and different youth to the Centre. They are currently looking at changing the hours that KYC is open for youth to hang out throughout the summer, to reflect them not being in school. “We are thinking of an earlier start in the summer, so they can get here during the day,” she says, adding that kids are already often waiting outside the Centre for it to open after school.
Mehgan thinks it’s great that a small town like Kemptville has a youth centre, which are more usually found in bigger cities. “It’s a place for older kids to come hang out with friends,” she says.
KYC staff are in the middle of planning for the summer. Mehgan says they are planning on organizing several field trips, and want to ensure that all the youth of North Grenville and surrounding area are welcome. “You don’t have to be a regular at the Centre to come,” she says.
There are also always volunteer opportunities at the Centre, especially with the summer’s fundraising events. They are looking for youth to help with the Pancakes in the Parking Lot fundraisers, as well as their annual book sale at the end of the summer.
