Minister of Justice and Public Safety Doug Currie today congratulated the residents at the Prince Edward Island Youth Centre in Summerside on the successful completion of this year's baby barn program.
Under the direction of youth workers, youth in the centre build baby barns and give the proceeds from the sale of barns back to the community.
According to Pierre Gaudet, a youth worker involved in the program, it offers a wide range of benefits. "It not only provides the youth with the opportunity to develop important life-skills - like planning, working as part of a team, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from building something with your own hands - but it also allows them to contribute directly to the community."
"Many of the young people at the youth centre are no strangers to challenges in life," said Currie. "This makes their recent gesture of giving back to the children of Prince Edward Island that more significant."
This year the youth chose to donate the money to the Esther Finkle Fund for Kids. This fund fulfills small dreams for children, such as a new bike, music lessons, a week at summer camp and much more. The fund has been in operation for more than 10 years.
Currie also acknowledged the generous support of Stephen Thompson of Discount Lumber and Window. "Their support of the young people at the centre is an example of the wonderful generosity of Islanders within our One Island Community."
