Lakefield YU Office

We are pleased to announce that we have recently aquired new office space!  This beautiful location puts us right on the path of many youth on their way to and from school or other activities.  With the recent hiring of our part time administrative assistant and a new front line worker, this space was badly needed.

The following is an article written by Anita Locke as seen in The Herald on Thursday, March 25, 2010.

Lakefield Youth Unlimited has seen some tremendous growth over the past several months, not only in its outreach programs to the young people of our community, but also with the hiring of a new Outreach Worker, Duncan Freeburn. They are also realizing their dream of providing a place to live for young people in need of a room.  A part time administrator, Tracy Parsons, has also been hired.

The Hubble House is Youth Unlimited's latest outreach project. People who work with community youth are continually identifying young people in need. These could be young people who, through no fault of their own, find themselves homeless. While there have occasionally been young people who sleep under the bridge, for the most part the homeless teens are those who are identified as “couch surfers” – they sleep on friends’ couches because they cannot stay at home. Those who work with youth in Lakefield are seeing about a dozen young people in need of a place like Hubble House, and Youth Unlimited will be able to provide rooms for three young people ages 16 to 18 at the residence.

The house will also provide office space for Youth Unlimited and will give the organization a greater presence in the community.

Community volunteers and young people have been busy prepping the house. Old carpeting has been removed, the walls are being painted, and other things are being done to get the house ready for occupancy.

“The community has been terrific,” says Chris Jones, Lakefield Youth Unlimited director. “It's been great to watch people reach out by providing donations and rolling up their sleeves.” New outreach worker Duncan Freeburn and his wife Jessica, along with their newborn baby Daniel, will live in the upstairs apartment at the Hubble House and act as “house parents.”. Duncan and Jessica returned home to Lakefield after serving with several organizations, including Teen Challenge, a faith-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. While working with Teen Challenge, they saw many young people whose lives had been devastated by drugs and alcohol. Duncan says, “There is a definite need for positive alternatives. As an Outreach Worker with Youth Unlimited I will have the opportunity to influence young lives who may otherwise end up on the same path.” In Duncan's new role, he will be working with teens, developing relationships, being a friend and role model, and encouraging them to make wise choices. “I will be seeking to serve their needs and to help them think about some of the bigger spiritual issues in life.” says Duncan.

Youth Unlimited has been a part of Lakefield and area for seven years. In 1994, the Rev. Peter Bishop identified a need for youth who needed “a safe place to go to”.  Since 2003, Youth Unlimited has operated gym nights, arcades, March Break programs, After School homework programs, Art in the Barn, Movies in the Park, cooking programs and other events. The organization continues to actively fundraise, not only to carry out its programs, but also because Outreach Workers are required to fundraise for their salaries.  The organization works with local residents, churches, schools, government and businesses for the youth of the community.

For more information, or to support the projects of Youth Unlimited, Lakefield, call Chris Jones at (705) 761-2903 or email chrisj@youthunlimitedkaw.com.

 

At this time, we are at full capacity which just reinforces how desperately affordable housing for youth is needed.  We are so thankful for how the community has come together to help us make the whole thing a reality.