NORTH BATTLEFORD ‑ The fundraising campaign is officially on for a new Territorial Youth Services building.
The new building is being constructed right behind Territorial Alliance Church in North Battleford. On Tuesday, TYS held a launch event for their capital campaign.
The goal is to raise $475,000 to cover the cost of the building, and the campaign is off to a flying start with the assistance of Rob Rongve and the capital campaign team that has been assembled. Some major donors have already been lined up, and according to Perry Neufeld, program director, the campaign has already raised more than $300,000.
Some major donors were acknowledged at the launch event. The biggest donor so far is Serafina Energy Ltd., which is planning to commit well over $100,000 towards the project. Director of Community Relations Jason Bezruchak said they raised $38,000 from a golf tournament last year and announced another $50,000 on Tuesday. Proceeds from this year's golf tournament are also committed to the project.
"When we look at investment in the community, we look at youth, education, they're all very important. When we heard about this actual initiative it was something we were very excited and wanted to be a part of," Bezruchak says.
Another major contribution announced Tuesday came from Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Community Development Corporation. They contributed $50,000 towards the project.
They also accepted $15,000 donations each from RBC, Nutec Embroidery, WPD Ambulance and RBC Dominion Securities.
The donations come as welcome news for Neufeld who has been pushing for the new building project over the past year. They are looking to move their programs out of their current garage area, and into a 2,720 square-foot facility to be opened in the fall of this year. Construction is moving along swiftly for the new building. The footprint is already in place and it is anticipated the structure will go up this week.
"We have been dreaming of this for a long time and when you see some steps forward happen, when you see key people from the community say 'we'd like to get involved,' that is just so encouraging," said Neufeld.
Territorial Youth Services is a non-governmental organization of the Department of Justice Young Offenders Branch and has been running since 1988. It is a restitution program to help young people complete their court-ordered restitution or community service, operating six days a week to help at-risk youth between the ages of 12 to 20. The program also helps provide life skills training and pre-employment training.
Program participants have been involved in numerous building projects including sheds, decks, fences and ice shacks among others. They have also been involved in yard maintenance and moving and hauling. Last year Territorial Youth Services participants constructed more than 40 sheds and built 100 ice fishing shacks, and provided yard care for 39 customers and lawn moving for 41 customers.
