Fellowship Hall

Bold vision for serving youthin Waterdown

Waterdown is a community that is expanding.  With this growth come concerns, many of which surround the youth population. Waterdown has few programs or safe places for teens and so they can easily turn to less positive ways of dealing with their emotions and pressures.  Drugs and youth crime are on the increase. About 40 percent of youth in middle-class families experience anxiety and depression.  Self-harm and suicide are devastating many young people.

It is into this environment that Youth for Christ/Youth Unlimited wants to make a difference by equipping young people to experience hope and realize their potential.  The aim is to help youth to find out about God’s love for them, and offer them the opportunity to make an informed decision about choosing to follow Jesus.

Young people who encounter Youth for Christ/Youth Unlimited never leave without some impact. Some share stories of life saving experiences, changes of heart, renewed hope and general well-being.

“I love coming to Youth Unlimited.  For once I feel like I belong and people like me for me,” says Katelyn. “It’s a great way to vent and get my mind off the things that may be getting me down.  It’s a safe place anyone can come at anytime, and someone will always be there to help.”

Britt says that “Youth Unlimited is an amazing place where I have the trust to let things out, I don’t have to put on a face for anyone; I can just be myself.  Whenever something is wrong I always have someone to talk to.  It’s a place to feel safe in hard times."

And Deryck observes “Even though I am not a Christian, I can come to Youth Unlimited, have some fun, enjoy myself and learn something new about God.”

Marcel Knot, the full time YFC/Youth Unlimited staff member, has been serving at Waterdown District High School and providing after school programs for five years.  Marcel is now joined by Christina Wolfraim and Kathy Wright, who are helping to expand the ministry to more youth by offering additional programming.  The goal is to provide youth with positive Christian role models, nurturing relationships that reflect the love of God.

YFC/Youth Unlimited is also seeking to develop a Youth Centre at the corner of Parkside Dr. and Centre Rd., just a short distance from the high school, in order to provide a safe place for youth to experience a variety of after school and evening programming.  Currently an application for rezoning is being reviewed by the City of Hamilton and once approval is obtained, YFC/Youth Unlimited will move forward in developing this site as a future home for a Youth Centre.