They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and the folks at YFC Morden want to help get your Saturday off to a good start before heading out for a full day activities at the Morden Corn & Apple Festival.
Once again, over two dozen volunteers are getting ready to serve up plates of fresh, hot, fluffy pancakes and sausages for the organization's annual pancake breakfast happening from 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at the Access Credit Union parking lot, which is something new for the annual tradition and brings it closer to downtown and all the festival action.
Proceeds from the breakfast will help keep the organization's programming free for the local teens who access it.
'It's an absolute blast'
For Lauryn, the Female Program Coordinator, working with the teens and mentoring them through their highs and lows is her favourite part of the job.
"I love watching them grow and have their wins and just seeing change come in their lives and how excited they get over it."
In particular, Lauryn says she most enjoys Girls Night.
"I love going all out for them and making it special and fun," she said, noting the best part of those evenings is a game called High, Low, Shout Out that they play at the start. That's where the girls list a high, they experienced during the last week, a low, and give a shout out to someone or something they are thankful for.
"It is positively my favourite thing, and we all engage with each other and it's just such a great community-building moment."
'We really do our best to make sure that we're providing a safe environment for the youth'
Tristan is the Senior Youth Program Coordinator for YFC Morden, and his favourite part of the job are the drop-in nights.
"We play lots of games, we provide snacks. I think the biggest thing is getting plugged in and being present in an environment where it's safe so you can really, truly be who you are," he said. "We really do our best to make sure that we're providing a safe environment for the youth to truly discover who they are and to help them grow and navigate the craziness of life."
As staff, Lauryn says they work hard to make sure the teens feel seen and heard.
Programs at YFC Morden don't just run during the school year either. There are plenty of opportunities for youth to get out and connect during the summer months as well, building moments where they just get to be kids.
'We want to be someone who is available to help if you need it, or if you just need to laugh and have a good time'
The job does come with its challenges, though.
For Tristan, he feels it's bridging the gap between the teens and people like himself who are older.
"I feel, sometimes, as someone who is significantly older, there's almost like a stigma that you don't really, truly understand what's happening," he explained. "And to an extent, there are some things that they're dealing with that I haven't experienced. But at the same time, there's more that brings us together than what separates us and so, part of that is just breaking down barriers and being able to say not only was I once a youth, but I still sometimes go through rough days. I still have struggles on my own. So, being able to just say there are other people here who are trying to navigate life with you, and we want to be someone who is available to help if you need it, or if you just need to laugh and have a good time."
If you feel this is something you want to support, get up early tomorrow morning and make your way down to Access Credit Union and fill your plate with pancakes with purpose.
With files from Ty Hildebrand