INNISFAIL – This week is National Youth Week across Canada and Innisfail is all in for its young.
National Youth Week is officially scheduled across the country from May 1 to 7, and Innisfail’s participation, with financial support from the Rotary Club of Innisfail, will go into high gear from May 5 to 7.
“They are a huge supporter of what we are doing,” said Kane Williams, the town’s recreation program coordinator, of Rotary’s generosity.
Throughout the entire week, the town’s Youth Positive Assets Coalition (YPAC) and Youth Action Committee (YAC) are sponsoring a Coffee Sleeve and Sticker Campaign with vital information for the young that will be offered at a variety of businesses and schools.
“The coffee sleeves and stickers offer contact information for anyone in a crisis or who may be suicidal by providing the numbers for the Mental Health Helpline and the Kids Help Phone,” said Karen Bradbury, the town’s community and social development coordinator. She said the coffee sleeves will be at Dark Woods Brewing and Coffee Roasting and The Coffee Cottage, while the stickers will at Innisfail Dairy Queen, Tim Hortons, D&R Drive-In, Innisfail High School and St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School.
Williams said from May 5 to 7, the Town of Innisfail, in conjunction with YPAC and YAC, will have Treat Days for youth between the ages of 13 and 24.
On Wednesday, May 5, D&R Drive-In on Main Street will be offering free mushroom fries. That same day there is an online Escape Room for youth, a murder mystery. Youth are invited to register through @YACInnisfail on Instagram.
The following day, The Coffee Cottage will be giving away a free Tea Chiller and cookie. On Friday, May 7, Dark Woods is offering a free caramel or vanilla latte.
As for the mental health resources, the town and its sponsors note the provincial Mental Health Helpline is a 24-hour, seven day a week confidential service that provides support, information and referrals to Albertans experiencing mental health concerns.
The Mental Health Helpline is 1-877-303-2642.
The Kids Help Phone is a Canadian charitable organization that provides online and telephone counselling and volunteer-led, text-based support in English and French to youth across Canada. Kids Help Phone also provides information on how to access community support.
The Kids Help Phone is 1-800-686-6868 or text 686868 or (https://kidshelpphone.ca/)
For more information on Innisfail’s National Youth Week activities call Williams at 403-227-3376 ext. 217. Citizens can also check out the Instagram account @yacinnisfail or the following link: https://www.instagram.com/yacinnisfail/)
