Steve Hardaker
Community Correspondent
After a summer break, the Safe Haven Youth Group will return to St. Davids-Queenston United Church this Friday, Oct. 4.
Established in early 2023, the youth group welcomes youth between the ages of 12 and 17 to participate in activities on the first and third Friday of the month.
The church provides a safe, warm and welcoming space for youth to come play and hang out — a safe haven.
When Rev. YongSeok Baek became the new Minister at St. Davids-Queenston in the late summer of 2021, a priority he had was to start a youth group at the church where teens could hang out.
He, along with a core group of volunteers, have been organizing bimonthly activities since the launch last year.
The meetings are very informal. Set up in the church’s Christian Education Hall at 1453 York Rd. in St. Davids, there are musical instruments, tablet computers, board and video games, boxing equipment, a ping-pong table, an air hockey game and a foosball table.
There is also a quiet area where the kids can just sit and talk or do homework in comfortable furniture.
In a written statement concerning the start of this year’s program, Baek explained: “We would like to provide more outdoor activities this new season as we received a grant from the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.”
“I hope Safe Haven is the place where any youth feels free to join and be accepted which is a core message of Jesus’ ministry. All are welcome, come and see!”
Occasionally, the group will meet in the community for bowling or to go to a movie.
Snacks are provided by members of the church and a core group of volunteers assist Baek during the youth group meetings.
Friday’s youth group will be from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Following this Friday’s youth group, the next meeting will be on Oct. 18, then the first and third Friday of each month until next May.
The Safe Haven youth group is to provide a place and program for youths from St. Davids, the rest of Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls.
Steve Hardaker has lived in Niagara-on-the-Lake for over 14 years and is active in St. Davids-Queenston United Church and in several other community organizations.