Learn about the Kemptville Youth Centre!

1. What do you think Leeds and Grenville could do to be more inclusive or welcoming for newcomers or other equity deserving groups (Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, racialized groups, women, low-income populations)?

Leeds and Grenville can host neighbourhood block parties/community BBQs for newcomers. They can also support other equity deserving groups by hosting special events honouring their differences. How about an Annual Equity Fair (rotates from municipality to municipality) that raises awareness about organizations that support these groups?

2. Are you involved in your community? If so, how?

Yes. I attend community events outside of work here in North Grenville on the weekends (Busker fest and Canada Day). I also attend as many community events as possible for work to network and make sure that KYC is kept in the public eye.

3. What initiatives or activities has your organization or business been involved in that support welcoming communities/EDI etc.?

We have hosted girls’ groups with Girls Inc. in 2025 and girl art therapy groups this year through Bell Let’s Talk Grant funding.

We attended the NG Pride parade and afterparty the last 3 years and will continue to support our 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. We participated in the Chalk Challenge that NG Pride host this June and won. NG Pride is one of our community partners and we are planning two art sessions with our youth by the end of the summer (Iron-on patches for hats and painting a rainbow and a pink anti-bullying bench for our legacy garden).

This winter we were lucky enough to host 2 foreign exchange students from Japan. We encourage everyone to participate in our activities at KYC. Genki and Shunta enjoyed our cooking program and were welcomed by other youth at the centre. We have a few other youth from racialized backgrounds who attend our programs.

Our Centre is known as a safe place for youth who have learning disabilities. Most of the youth who attend are on the spectrum. There are youth who have ADHD, autism, OCD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, and Tourette’s. All youth are supported and accepted for who they are.

KYC offers all programming for free. This allows youth from lower income households the opportunity to participate in recreation that they otherwise would not be able to access.

4. Why is this activity or initiative important to your organization or business?

It is important for our organization to celebrate the differences of the youth and connect youth with each other and community resources. Afterall, it takes a village to raise a child. I believe that having the youth participate in community events and programs at the Centre we are building strong and confident adults who will ultimately contribute positively to the community.