Multinational Christian group reaches out to Yellowknife youth
Emma Levez
Northern News Services
NNSL (Jul 24/98) - Over the last week, members of the Side Door Youth Drop-in Centre have enjoyed the opportunity to meet and mingle with other kids from all over the world.
The King's Kids group from Calgary was visiting Yellowknife, conducting an outreach project with the Side Door.
King's Kids is a non-denomination Christian organization that gives interested individuals a chance to travel and to meet and help other people.
Tyler Rousell acted as the director of the Kings Kids group sent to Yellowknife. "We don't see a lot of touristy things," he explained. "We actually get in and see what it's like with the people."
He remarked that, as per usual, there were a few awkward days in which the members of both groups got to know one another, but towards the middle of the week, things became easier.
"We've really felt accepted over the last few days here. The kids open up and are pretty real with you," Rousell said.
Members of King's Kids provided guidance and ministry during their stay. Anne Grace, who focuses on family life within the group, said she loves the experience of being involved with King's Kids.
"You really get to know so much more about the people," she said. "You have to learn how to live in different ways."
Bob Siemens is 14 years old, and this trip was his first with King's Kids. A native British Columbian, he felt that the drive up here was "like a drive home." The number of ravens he saw in Yellowknife stopped him from getting homesick.
The members of the Side Door also benefited from the visit. "This kind of thing allows our kids a chance to meet people from all over," said Kevin Laframboise, youth co-ordinator the centre.
Besides the opportunity to meet other people, the kids put their time to good productive use. Their major project was the painting of the Anglican Church, which its their basement to the Side Door.
The Side Door youth centre acts as a safe haven for Yellowknife adolescents. It boasts a participating average of 80 to 100 members. The group would like to welcome their new assistant co-ordinator, Simon Harris.
