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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Christopher Cobbler, an avid basketball player and music lover, is taking over the helm as the new project director for the SideDoor youth centre.

Christopher Cobbler, the new project director for the SideDoor youth centre, with Allen Vogel, 5, left, Devin Vogel, 7, Christopher Cobbler, Nathan Shereni, 9, and Liam Wong, 11. - Sara Wilson/NNSL photo

A former branch manager with CitiFinancial, Cobbler said the decision to leave was a difficult one, but ultimately was the right choice.

"It was a difficult decision for me to make, but I made it," Cobbler said. "I definitely felt a call to come here."

While Cobbler's professional resume is focused on the financial sector, this isn't his first opportunity starting up community programming.

"I started a Monday night basketball program at St. Joseph School at 7 p.m. (that runs) every Monday," Cobbler said. "We allow kids to come in that are underprivileged ... sometimes we get kids that are high-risk or just want to play basketball and what we'll do is demonstrate leadership and sportsmanship."

The love of basketball has helped Cobbler recognize his passion for helping youth in the community.

"I was the senior basketball coach at Sir John Franklin High School, so I've always had a soft spot for youth," Cobbler said. "Drugs and alcohol are so prevalent, especially here in the NWT, I felt a responsibility to do whatever I could to eliminate that."

The Windsor, Ont. native completed his second week on the job and already has big plans to help deter Yellowknife youths from taking the wrong path.

"I do have big ideas, but they are all in the beginning stages," Cobbler said. "I'm musically-inclined. I love the piano, it's a passion of mine. Music has a way of speaking to youth ... because they can relate to that. I think we can incorporate music into some of our programs, while promoting discipline in practical ways that they are receptive of."

Last month, the City of Yellowknife announced a $45,000 injection of funding for the youth centre, funds that will be used to help establish Cobbler's new programs.

"It's nice that the Yellowknife community will pour into an organization like this, because I think it's worthy of the funding," Cobbler said.

Since its humble beginnings 15 years ago in the basement of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, the SideDoor has grown to include junior and senior programs that include a variety of events and, as well as a youth emergency shelter program.

A forward momentum that Cobbler hopes to see continue.

"I think we have a responsibility to (youth) to provide good programs," Cobbler said.

"To get them to come out, to keep them off the streets and out of fights and keep them equipped and educated on the consequences and ramifications of alcohol and drug abuse."

While the youth centre is based around Christian ideals, that denomination doesn't exclude youths who aren't of Christian faith.

"We don't try and push anything on anybody," Cobbler said."We want to allow youth an alternative to what's all around them everyday, they may never believe in God or go to church, we want them to feel welcome and that there's somewhere else where they can do to have fun."

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