Greetings to West Middlesex Catholic Family of Parishes:
It has been a while since I have done an update on what is happening at 37 Frank Street Youth Centre in Strathroy. For those who do not know us, we are located on Frank Street in Strathroy. We are a division of YFC/Youth Unlimited Strathroy. “Frank’s” is a safe place for youth, whether they are in need or not, to come in and simply hang out. We have board games, a small library, free wifi and of course the biggest draw…free food as well as reasonably priced food for purchase.
There have been a few changes in our opening hours to accommodate teens after school. Our daytime hours are Tuesday to Friday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and we have been able to finally open Frank’s Cafe - Tuesday to Thursday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
We have four churches in Strathroy that each take a week and bring us prepared food and groceries for that week. With this food and other donations, we have been able to serve over 1300 meals to the homeless, hurt and hungry in the Strathroy area. Ladies from All Saints CWL have been looking after the second week of the month for us. It has been greatly appreciated. .
Last spring I applied to the Pope Francis Fund for a grant to purchase items to help out when we are able to open our emergency shelter. We were approved and now have bed frames, mattresses, bedding and other room accessories ready for use.
This past Christmas we were able to give five families and their children a homemade turkey dinner with all the fixings. We were also able to give their children presents that many would not likely have received for Christmas. One older youth we brought meals and gifts to was so overwhelmed with emotion as we were able to give her something she was never expecting. To see the tears of joy and thanks in her eyes is something all of us will never forget.
“Whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, you do unto me,”
Another family with younger children was so happy with the food and gifts to give to their children, they were wondering how they would be able to even provide a gift to each of their children at all. They were so grateful for the kindness extended to them.
We have other stories of youth who have come into our centre who are in need of immediate care. We were able to provide them with emergency backpacks that contain toiletries, gift cards, an emergency sleeping bag, a tent, non perishable food and more. We are also working in close contact with Josh Smith, the Community Navigator for our area. If there is something we cannot assist the youth with, Josh can. He has been an incredible asset to our community.
On February 26, 2022, we are holding the CNOY (The Coldest Night of the Year) to raise awareness of homelessness, hurt and poverty in our community. We are also getting teams and walkers to join in a 2 or 5 km virtual walk in Strathroy. Money raised will help assist us at Frank’s with the centre operating costs and to continue to help the hurt, homeless and impoverished youth right here in Strathroy-Caradoc. We need your help as homelessness and hunger is a big issue right here in our community.
This is where all of you come in….Please consider starting a team, joining a team or donating to someone that is walking for 37 Frank Youth Centre. You can go to https://cnoy.org/location/
“Alone we can do little, together we can do much.” – Helen Keller
Colleen Wiendels
Volunteer, 37 Frank Street Youth Centre
519.777.1410
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