KMFRC YOUth Matter

YOUth Matter is an initiative by the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre (KMFRC) that aims to empower and support youth within the military community.

• YOUth Matter Leadership Team
  Theresa Brannen, KMFRC Youth Counsellor 
  Jane Hotner, KMFRC Military Family Navigator
  Alexa Waycik, KMFRC Military Family Navigator
  Laura Tessier, KMFRC Military Family Navigator.
  
  'YOUth Matter' officially launched in December 2023 with an event including fun activities, the chance for youth to submit their suggestions for services/events, YOUth Matter swag and prizes, and information about the YOUth Matter Advisory Committee (YMAC).  
• Advisory Committee

  The YOUth Matter Advisory Committee is a committee made up of youth volunteers who have a Canadian Armed Forces connection and KMFRC staff. The committee gives youth between the ages of 13 and 20 years the opportunity to gain the volunteer hours needed for their secondary school diploma while helping to plan and determine what services and events are offered for them and their peers at the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre (KMFRC).  

  The YOUth Matter Advisory Committee’s overall goal is to have staff and military youth work together to ensure that the services and events offered by the KMFRC are youth friendly. This can be achieved by creating connections with military youth and getting the perspective of military youth outside the committee.  

  The roles and responsibilities of the members are to help provide insight into the services and events that are offered for youth at the KMFRC, to recruit new members for the committee, to help plan, implement, organize, and run events offered at the KMFRC for youth, and to help staff to build partnerships with youth friendly community organizations. The roles and responsibilities of staff are to support and mentor the YOUth Matter Advisory Committee members, to provide education to members on planning and implementation of services and events, and to be go between for the committee and different departments at the KMFRC. 

  Upon starting the committee and recruiting new members, existing members and staff came to an agreement that having a total of 10 members would be reasonable and would allow staff to have a measurable outcome. This would fulfill the identified need/gap of having youth services and events that meet their needs and empower them to have some input into this. 

  If you are interested in joining the YOUth Matter Advisory Committee, please complete the application form and submit it to the KMFRC Youth Counsellor.  

• Drop-in & Special Activities

  The KMFRC YOUth Matter team is continuing their mission to show YOUth they matter to us! 
   
  We are offering youth, ages 12 to 18, from military families the opportunity to engage in and learn about mental health and wellness. The first hour will be focused on mental health/open discussion, followed by the chance to participate in fun activities with peers! Youth can then engage with their peers with activities each week! An after-school snack will also be offered.  

  Each week will start with the chance to engage in fun, learning activities related to your mental health and wellness!  

  Check out what's happening HERE (*Special activities require registration)