Celebrations are in order for Youth for Christ Stonewall, which has been serving the community for the past two decades.
To mark their 20-year milestone, YFC Stonewall is hosting a banquet on Nov. 9 to highlight where they’ve been, what they’re doing now and what they hope to do in the future. There is no cost for admission, but attendees will have the chance to donate towards its continued operation.
Marking another milestone is YFC Winnipeg, which began 70 years ago in 1954 to engage young people with the story of Jesus. YFC Winnipeg is a member of YFC Canada, a national organization that is also a part of YFC International.
Over the years, satellite YFC locations have taken root in communities outside the Perimeter, and many of them grew into their own satellites. Currently, YFC Winnipeg operates satellite locations in Stonewall, Arborg, Selkirk, Carman, Niverville and St. Pierre-Jolys.
The main drop-in events at YFC Stonewall are geared for youth aged 12 to 18. In addition, the local hub offers an after-school program for youth aged 10 to 13. Special events, such as a girls’ night or a video game night, appeal to specific groups. All in all, YFC Stonewall offers a fun destination for teens across the community.
“One of the ways YFC Stonewall is unique is the amazing support we’ve received from the town, in particular in the operation of the skatepark. To have a place where kids can skateboard or scooter is a huge asset to the town, and we’re happy to have them right outside our door. This couldn’t have happened without the town’s backing,” said Chris Harwood, senior ministry director for YFC Winnipeg and interim director of YFC Stonewall.
“Another unique feature of YFC Stonewall is the way in which we are funded and operated. YFC Stonewall’s operations and programs have been funded largely on the basis of donations, and we have had hundreds of volunteers who regularly give their time and energy. The town has given generous grants for our summer program, which has been immensely helpful, but we do not receive operational funding from other levels of government.”
From its inception in 2004, Perry Neufeld spearheaded the Stonewall location and served as the first director.
“He laid a firm foundation for the following 20 years we’ve enjoyed,” Harwood said.
“He and his wife Loretta were fervent believers in the potential of young people in Stonewall, and their vision and energy helped YFC Stonewall set down good roots.”
Over the years, the local youth hub expanded in both its space and its services. After the building was placed on the site in 2004, a major expansion added another third of the original building size.
“The addition of the skate park and basketball court was a big change too,” Harwood said.
“We are upgrading the facility as the need and opportunity arises — whether the equipment inside needs to be improved or there are things we can change like the addition of security cameras.”
In 2014, the Neufeld family moved west to Saskatchewan. Then in 2017, Paul Emmer took over as the next director.
“He and his family moved from the YFC in MacGregor and brought an entrepreneurial spirit and a renewed vision for the young people in Stonewall,” Harwood said.
“He served as director until 2020, when he took a leave in order to focus on his fight against cancer. In 2023, Paul passed away from cancer.”
Over the past two decades, hundreds of volunteers have also served at the drop-in centre.
“From the first committee who worked to set the wheels in motion to the ones who come every Thursday in 2024, it would be impossible to name them all,” Harwood said.
“However, the young people in Stonewall know them because they have made an indelible mark on their lives.”
The drop-in centre gives young people in Stonewall a safe place where they can be part of a positive community, he added.
“They can be themselves and make meaningful connections with caring adults and their peers. No matter who someone is, a young person is welcome to be here. We are delighted to have them,” Harwood said.
“Young people engage drop-in activities with whatever depth they feel most comfortable, and our hope is that they’ll find a place they want to engage more deeply as time goes on.”
At the same time, YFC Stonewall gives young people a place where they can ask questions.
“Whether they ever actually ask those questions, young people know that the adult volunteers are willing to hear them out. They are able to explore questions of worth, faith and character. They are not judged or dismissed; there are no ‘stupid questions,’ to use a cliché,” Harwood said.
“This sort of space is sorely lacking in our current society, even though these kinds of questions are deeply foundational for people. We have no hidden agenda — only a desire to give young people the space and opportunity they need to ask their questions.”
In addition, YFC Stonewall gives youth something to do that costs nothing and requires no long-term commitment or equipment.
“Many activities have associated costs, and this can be a barrier to entry for young people, even in a town like Stonewall. Simply put, YFC Stonewall has never and will never allow money to be a barrier for participation,” Harwood said.
“If someone cannot afford an activity and lets us know, we find a solution that allows them to participate. Our drop-in activities never cost anything, and that will not change.”
Now more than ever, Harwood said YFC Stonewall sometimes is a place where youth in crisis can find peace, resources and an opportunity to come through the crisis.
“We have engaged young people in times of suicidal ideation, food insecurity, housing insecurity and mental health matters. We have been a refuge for young people who have been physically threatened. We have mediated disputes. We have helped train community members to better respond to crisis situations like suicide. We feed them if they’ve gone hungry. We listen to them when they feel alone,” he said.
“On more a more daily basis, opportunities come to help young people learn the skills they need to navigate more challenging circumstances in the future. We try to help them learn to think critically, be gracious to others, apologize and forgive sincerely, and see the value in other people.”
As a faith-based non-profit organization, YFC Stonewall depends on donations to operate.
“The town has historically invested generously in YFC Stonewall, but the truest mark of community support would be the individuals who invest their hard-earned money in something that makes such a difference in the next generation,” Harwood said.
“Anything given towards the work of YFC Stonewall remains here in Stonewall, so people should feel confident knowing that their gift is benefiting the young people in their community.”
Another way to support the drop-in is through volunteering.
“Because of the nature of this organization and the demographic we serve, the volunteer application is thorough, so people who are interested in knowing more should reach out and we’ll do our best to answer whatever questions may arise,” Harwood said.
“However, if someone wanted to be involved in an ad-hoc way, we always have something that could be done that doesn’t require a volunteer application — like baking, cleaning or maintenance.”
Harwood suggested that another way for the community to show support is to continue to be gracious.
“We know we can sometimes attract noisy and rambunctious young people to the neighbourhood, and we want to make sure that we’re doing what we can to help coach positive behaviours,” he said.
“That said, if there’s ever a concern with something that’s going on, please reach out and let us know. We value having input from the community.”
Tribune File Photos
For the past 20 years, YFC Stonewall has benefited from the community’s support.
“Simply, it would not have been possible without governments, organizations, companies, local churches and individuals seeing the vision and the need among young people. Our gratitude is immeasurable because we know that every young person whose life has been helped would not have been helped without the people here partnering with us,” Harwood said.
“For the thousands of teenagers who have come through our doors the last 20 years, and for the thousands more we hope to see in the next 20 years, thank you.”
Anyone who would like to make a donation to the organization can email banquet@yfcstonewall.com.
