SARAH WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

At the most recent Regular Council Meeting, Hilary Fennell brought an update from the Recreation Outreach Centre (ROC) before Prince Edward County Council. Fennell, the ROC’s Administrator and Communications Officer, detailed the key services the ROC provides for youth aged 12 to 18. She also commented on the benefits these programs have not only on the youth participating, but for the community at large.

The ROC has been in operation for 23 years. As Fennell described, they are a registered, charitable organization that’s become an integral part of this community’s social services network. Program benefits include: counselling, mentoring, academic support, leadership and skills development, arts and recreation, workshops and training, to justice support, volunteerism, free meals and snack, and, if needed, taxi rides home.

As Fennell explained, Prince Edward County youth are not immune to the frightening statistics regarding an increase in mental health struggles, especially since the onslaught of the pandemic.

Students taking part in a 2022 ROC pottery class. (Submitted Photo)

“Staff experience frequent circumstances of self harm and suicidal ideology. Youth attend hungry and lacking some of the most basic needs. A large proportion experiencing intense mental health issues,” said Fennell.

While Fennell explained mental health issues area a primary concern of ROC staff, they also open to the door to a host of other issues plaguing youth, such as substance abuse.

“Youth know they can come through our doors for care and support navigating next steps, crisis management and their ongoing emotional wellbeing,” said Fennell.

Unbeknownst to some, the ROC also offers supervised alternative learning for youth unable to attend traditional school for any reason.

“We have an exceptional relationship with P.E.C.I.,” stated Fennell.

An important part of the ROC’s programming is meeting youth where they’re at, in other words, providing a range of programming while also providing basic necessities.

“By providing items like hot meals, clothing, and hygiene products we are addressing the lack of basic needs many youths are facing. This is the primary focus of our agency. Of course, through any interaction, mentorship is at the foundation,” Fennell explained. “Our centre is set up to appeal to a wide range of youth depending on interests. This is where they come to hang out with friends and engage with positive adult role models. They come here to relax, smile, and decompress. The ROC provides calm and quiet when needed and excitement and engagement when opportunity arises.”

Apart from offering programs and services, the ROC facilitates a youth advisory committee that plays a leadership role both in the organization and community.

“They’re a group of 14 diverse individuals invested in bettering their community and ensuring actionable change occurs,” said Fennell.

Despite the important role the ROC plays in this community, like other charities, they spend much of their time applying for grants and fundraising.

“As a registered charity, our agency is constantly grinding to secure funding. On average, 29 weeks per year are spent solely on preparing grant applications with no guarantee of success. If funding does not come through, we must adapt programs and services offered,” stated Fennell.

Councillor Sam Branderhorst expressed a desire for more youth voices to be heard but noted it is encouraging to see so many from the ROC involved in the community.

“What you are doing is fantastic and I think we need to be working better with the ROC to get youth voices heard.” Commented Branderhorst.

Councillor Bill Roberts inquired about exact numbers of PEC youth who experience food insecurity and homelessness.

“About 70 per cent of youth identify as coming from low-income families. The majority of the youth we see are struggling with general basic needs, including appropriate housing and food,” stated Fennell. “We have examples of youth who are houseless due to a dangerous family situation, or they’ve been kicked out and are couch surfing. Our staff actively do outreach for these people. We will work with other social service agencies to locate them, make sure their safe and maybe help them into transitional housing.”

For more information about the ROC and their programs/services for youth, please visit: https://theroc.ca/