Townships-based non-profit nets $100,000-federal government grant to pilot youth club
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Phelps Helps, a non-profit organization based in Stanstead, celebrated the $100,000-commitment it received to run the much-anticipated Phelps Helps Youth Club. The Record attended the event on the morning of Aug. 24, which involved MP for Compton-Stanstead and Minister of National Revenue Marie-Claude Bibeau, Stanstead mayor Jody Stone, Sophie Nagle, Phelps Helps’ Advancement and Communications Director, and Phelps Helps’ Executive Director Katie Lowry.
Phelps Helps’ press release on the event states that Phelps Helps staff secured the funding thanks to a winning application made to United Way/Centraide Canada — one of three funders selected by the federal government to disburse its Community Services Recovery Fund. The Phelps Helps proposal received the maximum eligible amount within the category it was submitted.
Set to run from fall 2023 through summer 2024, the Phelps Helps Youth Club will draw kids aged 12 to 18 to Phelps Helps for weekly social programming as well as monthly special programming that will include outings and guest animators.
All activities will be in English and French and will cater to the diverse interests and needs of the region’s youth population. As a complement to Phelps Helps’ regular academic programming, the youth club responds to students’ need to “socialize, break a sweat, and build bonds”.
