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. 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:Children and youth discover and achieve their aspirations, and are healthy, successful and contribute to society.

Mission:Empower children and youth to develop confidence and skills for life through knowledge, healthy relationships and quality experiences.

Core Values:Fun, Family, Role Models, Advocacy, Excellence, Safety, Teamwork, Empowerment, Diversity, Authentic Relationships

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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 12Camper

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

Noah, Age 8Camper

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 11Camper

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 16Camper

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

Sue came to the shelter due to numerous legal issues surrounding her family. The shelter provided physical and emotional safety for Sue while her family worked through these issues and minimized the stress within the home. While she was at the shelter she talked openly with staff and expressed interest in working with the Outreach Program in returning home and working on her relationship with her mom. Eventually Sue did return home, and the family was able to resolve much of the conflict surrounding the initial crisis. Her mom has since reported that Sue is doing well and their relationship has strengthened and they once again enjoy being mother and daughter.

Youth HQYouth Shelter

I want to work towards what makes me happy in my future not what happens just today.

Ryan, Age 16

John became involved with drugs and alcohol which resulted in becoming homeless. He utilized the Youth Winter Inn during that time, in order to have a safe place to stay during the cold winter nights. Eventually, with assistance from the Youth Winter Inn staff, John came to the Youth Shelter in mid April. Along with his addiction issues, he identified having mental health concerns. With support from Shelter staff, he saw a psychiatrist and began properly addressing his wellbeing. John has not used drugs or alcohol since his intake to the Shelter and is working towards developing a plan for his future, to reconnect with his parents, and for sobriety support.

Youth HQYouth Shelter / Winter Inn

Sarah and Rolanda were matched more than ten years ago and continue to remain 'sisters'. While life has changed much for them, Rolanda becoming a mom and Sarah living independently, they have never let go of their bond. Through the ups and downs of teenage life and young adulthood, Rolanda has continued to be a strong support for Sarah. We're all proud of them both, and the testament they are to the success of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Youth HQ

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. YVC has become Youth HQ Children, youth, families, mentors, volunteers and community: This is your place. We invite you to become part of our legacy and help make a difference as we create our future.

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 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 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.