The local youth action network is putting the finishing touches on its new building and it will hopefully open by the end of February.
Kristen Renn, Rossland Youth Action Network’s (YAN) project coordinator, explained that drywalling and painting have been done, and work is being done on trimming. Mofab is also creating a railing for the staircase inside the building.
“All these little finalizing pieces are really great,” said Renn.
YAN received $5,000 from Rossland Rotary last year to help purchase furnishing for the new building and Renn said she and YAN coordinator Mike Kent are excited that they can now start making those purchases.
“We’re really grateful to Rotary for that $5,000 towards furnishings and getting those inside,” said Renn.
YAN has been running program throughout the renovation, including YAN Shreds.
The program provides youth with snowboarding equipment and coaching.
“Red Mountain has really been amazing in supporting this program and Tash Penner, who’s leading the program, along with her volunteers have been just so awesome at getting supplies and getting equipment for these youth,” said Renn.
This year Red Mountain Resort also donated passes for youth in the program so that they can continue to snowboard after they’ve received coaching.
Renn says that in the future YAN may also run programs for kids to learn how to skateboard and bike.
Cooking classes will also be starting up again soon and the new YAN Space will have a kitchen for that purpose.
For crafty teens, YAN will partner with Sarah Zanussi of Pisces Pottery in March to offer some pottery workshops.
The completion of the YAN Space will also mean the return of Open Mic Night at the Space.
For youth looking to perform before then, YAN is partnering with the Charles Bailey Theatres for the Kootenay Arts Youth Festival.
The festival includes two Beginner Youth Hip Hop Workshops and a Dance Battle on Saturday, Feb. 17.
The first workshop will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Steps Dance Centre in Trail and the second will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Kootenay DanceWorks in Rossland.
The workshops are free, but pre-registration is required at goo.gl/forms/6zGbb4I0ASxVMywV2. They are open to youth 12 to 19 years old.
Youth can then use the moves they’ve learned to dominate the Dance Cypher (Battle) at the Rossland Summit School Auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m.
Youth may also be interested in applying to attend the Basin Youth Network Leadership Summit that will be held in Kimberley from May 4 to 6.
“Each community can take up to a certain amount of youth, along with some chaperones, to the youth summit,” says Renn.
Youth who are 14 to 18 years old and living in the Columbia Basin are eligible to apply.
The deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 11:59 p.m. and youth can find more information and apply at ourtrust.org/basin-youth-network-leadership-summit.
“It is a great opportunity,” says Renn.
YAN’s Creating a Supportive Rossland Project also continues to be active in the community.
Those involved in the project will be repainting the rainbow crosswalk in the spring and the group has also created LGBTQ+ Rossland stickers that are available for purchase at Revival Boutique.
For more information on YAN activities, visit rosslandyan.ca or the Rossland Youth Action Network Facebook page.