What started as an idea to offer the weekly YOUth Matter drop in, where youth from military families can come to connect, has evolved in the last year to a place where youth can feel safe to learn and talk about their mental health and wellness and take part in a variety of activities to enhance social connections. YOUth Matter is unique in its approach because the team strives to learn about their interests and ensure their voices are heard through the services and events they want to see offered at the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre.
Since starting the drop in in April 2024, youth from military families have participated in a wide variety of activities from festive baking to trips, to the movie theatre to swimming at the Culligan Water Park. As the KMFRC YOUth Matter team moves into the second year of this service, there are plans to continue many of the same activities and YOUth Matter has grown to include many events in the community and be held on various nights throughout the week.
This year we plan to continue to offer mental health and wellness activities that are interactive and engaging for youth, including offering one night per month focusing on these activities. The YOUth Matter team plans to start Cooking on a Budget nights, travel to places in the community such as the movie theatre and the Bunker and have events at the centre such as the new Sports Nights. For more information on these activities please visit our Instagram page at youthmatter_kmfrc or visit our website at https://cfmws.ca/kingston/events-activities/activities/youth-matter.
Please also feel free to contact Youth Counsellor Theresa Brannen at youthcounsellor@kmfrc.com
By: Theresa Brannen, MACP, BA Psyc.
Registered Psychotherapist, CCC
KMFRC Youth Counsellor