From Colleen Wiendels (colleenwiendels@isp.ca)

Here is a letter we send out with information on 37 Frank Street - If you would like more information - please let me know

Also, great news, I had applied for a grant under the Pope Francis Fund and we were approved and we will be using the money to purchase crash beds for the shelter when it becomes reality.

David Berdan is the contact for the centre, but you could also put my name on it as well so it has an All Saints connection.  I am at the centre Tuesdays-Thursdays from 9-2

Centre hours currently are Tuesdays - Fridays 9-2 pm

Also, we have another volunteer here from our parish and the CWL looks after providing food to the center 1 week per month.  We now have a booth at the market weekends in front of 37 Frank - we there to provide information to the public and give tours...if anyone is interested in a tour and cannot come during the downtown market, please call or drop in during open hours and we will gladly show you around.  All youth are welcome as well to the cafe - it is safe fun and friendly.... you don't need to be impoverished to come to Franks!  All welcome up to age 25.  We held our first fundraiser this past spring - Coldest night of the year - it raised well over $30,000 - which we will be holding each spring
The outpouring from the community has been amazing.

At 37 FRANK YOUTH CENTRE we believe that all youth deserve to have a place where they can find community, safety, belonging and a renewed hope for their future. A place to be accepted, to be themselves, to know that they are awesome and that they are not alone. This is why 37 Frank is so exciting! Our hope is to give our youth such a place.
At 37 FRANK our vision is to be present in their lives via our helpful programs, 37 Frank Youth Drop in and Frank’s Cafe. At the 37 FRANK Youth Drop In, we want to be able to help youth who may be in crisis, homeless, at risk, and or impoverished. At the refuge we can provide warmth, food, toiletries, clothing, showers, and laundry. If we cannot meet their need, we will endeavor to connect them to an organization that can.
At the Frank’s Cafe, we believe we were made for community.  Community is what 37 Frank is about!  The body needs food and housing, but our mind and emotional health depends on a healthy community.  At the Cafe we love to share life together.  Sometimes this could look like singing karaoke together.  Other times it could be playing cards.  Still other times it can happens over a cup of coffee.  The youth can connect with our programs, have food, engage in fun activities like drama, pottery, music, and theme nights. They can learn life skills like doing laundry, cooking, shopping, money skills etc. Here a sense of genuine community, trust, and care can be created. This would enable us to help young people with anything from problems at school, to a family crisis and, if necessary, connect them with an agency that can provide specialized care.
The future vision of the youth centre is to also become a 24-hour emergency shelter for youth, to help get their feet back on the ground. This is a crucial time in their lives, and it is our goal to help them become independent, productive adults that will be a part of this community.
 
 
 
Dave Berdan, Director, 37 FRANK, YFC/Youth Unlimited Strathroy
Youth Unlimited/YFC Strathroy
37 Frank St., Strathroy, ON N7G 2R3
david.b@yfcstrathroy.com
www.yfcstrathroy.com
 
a division of Southwestern Ontario Youth for Christ