A local support group is reaching out to teens in the community

By Ashley Gholampoor

The House Youth Centre is a support group in Amherstburg for teens ages 13 to 18 to talk about any issues they may be facing.

Jessica Jarvis, 40, is the program coordinator for the youth centre. She has been involved with HYC for more than 14 years.

“I heard about House from my husband because he was a member,” said Jarvis. Her husband went to HYC as a teen and volunteered as a young adult.

“He told me it was a place for him and his friends to hang out and wanted me to experience it for myself.”

Jarvis has been the program coordinator since July 2018 and said she has noticed an increase in use of the centre since then. Jarvis said she has learned communication and listening skills from being part of House. Her passion for HYC caused her to leave her job of 15 years so she could devote herself full-time to her leadership role.

“I find younger teens are more willing to speak about their issues and be more open,” said Jarvis.

Jarvis said mental health issues have increased and is an issue she always hears about. She said the major issues among teens used to be about relationships and feeling as if you do not belong, but now mental health issues have increased.

“The LGBTQ community program has also been created and more members are comfortable and open about their sexuality,” said Jarvis.

Jarvis said social media has affected House because teens are interested in their cellphones more than the support group meeting. HYC encourages them to shut their phone off.

“I have learned to be more empathetic ever since I joined House,” said Jarvis. “I always listen to the youth in the community and they give me ideas for book clubs, arts and crafts and other activities. The House is always looking for volunteers, especially from the alumni or senior group, to help.”

Jarvis said the House has recently partnered with Access County Community Support Services and both programs share the same executive director, John Sutton. ACCSS helps administratively with House programs.

Jarvis said she hopes to include grades six through eight groups in the future to encourage teens to join earlier instead of starting in Grade 8. She said as long as the program is going forward, that is what matters to her.

“It does not matter if there are four or 40 members in a group,” said Jarvis.“I’m very passionate about House and it has been going for 47 years and I want it to go for 47 more.”

Blanche Durocher is the chairperson of the volunteer board of directors for the House Youth Centre.

Durocher joined House in Grade 10 after a friend introduced it to her.

“There were no expectations and I did not have to be an adult, I could just be a kid.”

Durocher said her parents split up when she was four years old and because of this she took it upon herself to be perfect and would take care of everyone else. When she went to House she felt as if she could relax.

 

Durocher said because of her experience at House she believes young people need to feel loved.

HYC is always looking for donations to help sustain the program and their building.