Helping kids
build great futures

Youth HQ empowers youth by fostering a community of support. Our network seeks to instill young people with confidence in their unique identities and abilities while providing safe environments to learn and grow.

Our primary objective is the healthy growth and development of every young person who comes through our doors. We aim to address the unique individual needs of youth in our community. Whether those needs are to develop social skills, life skills, work skills, or self-esteem, we work with each youth where they are at. This is done by applying a collective, unified approach to all our programs and services that inspires youth empowerment.

We are a non-profit governed by a volunteer board of directors, and our programs and services are designed and delivered by dedicated professionals. The engagement of caring community volunteers, partners, and supporters helps us to accomplish our mandate. Without them, none of this would be possible. Thank you.

Vision:

All young people discover and achieve their full potential.

Mission:

To provide safe supportive spaces and positive mentoring relationships where young people experience new opportunities and develop confidence and skills for life.

 Core Values: 

 Belonging: We are a safe, accepting, inclusive organization in which differences are valued in all aspects of service delivery and organizational practices.

  • Respect: We ensure that everyone; children, youth, families, volunteers, staff, and partners are heard, valued, and treated fairly.
  • Encouragement and Support: We encourage and support children, youth, and families in learning and growing to achieve their dreams.
  • Working Together: We work together with young people, families, volunteers, communities, and the government to promote healthy and safe environments for children and youth.
  • Speaking Out: The voices of children, youth, and families are essential to shaping our goals, priorities, and work. We encourage them to speak out and we support their voices as needed.
  • Stewardship: We believe in diligent stewardship of community resources.
2017 YOUTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Red-Deer-and-Area-Youth-Needs-Assessment-Report-SEPTEMBER-19-2017-FINAL

Current Annual Report
Previous Annual Report

Since beginning my friendship with my mentor, I’ve learned that I’m stronger mentally than I give myself credit for.

Samantha, Age 15BBBS

Trust is not easy for me, but my mentor makes it easy because I can easily relate to her.

Jessica, Age 14BBBS

Your activities are growing great proactive, healthy, and engaged future citizens. What you all do, say, and how you positively interact with my children multiple times in a week and since my kids have been a part of Youth HQ has made a huge difference in the lives of my kids.

Parent FeedbackBGC

Thank-you so much each and every one of you for all the heart and soul you put into her success. It is hard to believe she wanted to quit school in grade 7 and now she’s back on track because of you guys!

Parent FeedbackBGC

On behalf of St. Francis of Assisi Middle School, I would like to thank Emily for coming to present the Flex Your Head program to 27 students in our grade 9-1 class. We have appreciated the amount of volunteer time that she has dedicated to St. Francis and her flexibility in accommodating the school's timetable. The Boys and Girls Club of Red Deer & District provides an invaluable services for our middle school students as they learn more about the importance of their own and other's mental health. The presentations also supplemented the Religion and Health programs for grade 9. The volunteer presentations are truly appreciated.

Twila MolineTeacher/Counsellor | St. Francis of Assisi Middle School

Camp brought me out of my shell and gave me better communication skills. It has also given me the courage to believe in myself.

Jamie, Age 12Camp Alexo Camper

Camp has helped me to understand why we have nature and why I have to take care of it.

Noah, Age 8Camp Alexo Camper

Alexo makes me feel really great to know that I am a part of something because I get to be outdoors a lot more than when I'm at home.

Sarah, Age 11Camp Alexo Camper

It makes me feel like I have somewhere to go every year where I can try new things and meet new people. Camp Alexo has had a very positive impact on my life, and I look forward to coming every year

Josh, Age 16Camp Alexo Camper

I got the news that I had nowhere to go. I was unable to go back with my parents because it was deemed to be an unsafe environment for me to be living in. I also could not return to my friend’s house due to my mental health issues. This left me feeling devastated, I finally thought I found a family with the supports I needed and being told I could not return there broke my heart. I was feeling lost and helpless. When I got to the shelter I was greeted by the shelter staff upon my intake. I had no idea what to expect from the shelter but as I got settled in, I met some really good people. This was the first time in my life I began opening up to people and getting the supports I need. The shelter staff have been amazing to me and I have been able to share my struggles and they have unlimited supports to offer me which have helped me greatly. The shelter has provided me unconditional support along with a safe, happy environment. Before I felt like no one understood me and I had to deal with things alone but being around all these people in the shelter has made me realize I’m not alone.

Sara

Our Leadersmeet the leaders who make Youth HQ possible

Our Donors & Sponsorsmeet the people who stand behind Youth HQ

How did we get here?

Big Brothers came to Red Deer in 1976, back when bell bottoms were cool and Facebook didn`t even exist. But, no matter the decade, as long as there are youth trying to find their way in this world, there are caring adults to guide and support them. Caring individuals and Kinsmen members supported by the United Way started the Big Brothers program, which soon became Big Brothers and Big Sisters in 1979. The founding board of directors was made up of:

Vic Douglas (Chair)

Don Ring

Peter Swainson

Eleanor and B.J. Billings

Florence Stephen

Rod Middlebrook

Ernie Cebuliak

Magie James

Adrianne White

Rita and Rich Ogilvie

Paul McGlone (Executive Director)

As time went on, the need to address the growing list of children waiting to have a mentor and to provide low cost accessible programs for children and youth was identified. Consequently, in 1983 the Boys and Girls Club of Red Deer & District joined Big Brothers and Sisters affiliation with the Youth and Volunteer Centre (YVC) of Red Deer. It was the strong belief in the positive impact a wilderness camp can have on a child that Camp Alexo was established in 1984. It is a special place for children and youth to grow, make life-long friends and discover their potential in a unique setting.

The 49th Street Youth Shelter was established in 1992 in response to a growing need to have a safe place for youth in crisis.

Over the years the programs have evolved and grown in response to identified needs within Red Deer and Central Alberta.

In light of where we`ve been, we celebrate our history and look to the future. In 2017 YVC has became Youth HQ. The Youth HQ brand better positions the agency moving forward as it continues to serve the children, youth, and families of Red Deer and throughout Central Alberta.  This is your place … to become a part of our legacy; to help make a difference in the life of a child; to invest in the future; to be a part of the Youth HQ family; …

1970s

Big Brothers was introduced to Red Deer and soon after expanded to include Big Sisters as the national organization grew in vision and inclusion. This agency was the first to pioneer youth centric programs in our community and laid the groundwork for the establishment of YVC in the following decade.

1980s

The 80s saw the addition of the Boys and Girls Club of Red Deer and District (now simply called BGC) to the area, followed by Camp Alexo. Soon after the 'i's were dotted and the 't's crossed as both Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls Club (BGC) were incorporated. YVC was created to oversee these programs and services.

1990s

Many new programs and fundraising events were brought to the various divisions and agencies within the reach of YVC. The 49th Street Youth Shelter was introduced, providing a much needed service for teens in troubling situations. Toward the end of the decade, a new building was constructed for YVC, giving it a permanent home in the heart of Red Deer.

2000s

Red Deer hit a growth spurt; the new millennium brought forth the Youth Employment Program and the expansion of the services offered via the Youth Shelter to better serve the increasing needs of the local population. It was in this era that the Margaret Bolze estate gift was donated to YVC, a standing testament to the legacy of one of our dearest supporters.

2010s

Twenty years after its establishment, the Youth Shelter received a significant upgrade. A new "Celebrity Dance Off" event took place in addition to the already popular annual fundraisers, Zed Haunted House and Bowl for Kids. YVC also went through a renovation, rebranding as Youth HQ, becoming a recognizable hub of youth centric programming in Central Alberta.