By Cecilia Nasmith
While Rebound Child and Youth Services works hard to keep up with the demand for its services, Carol Beauchamp shared with Cobourg council this week a new idea for the vital fundraising to support that work.
A new event called Kilometres For Kids – Building Mental Wellness will take place Oct. 20 at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. And though she's a runner herself, Beauchamp says walkers are also needed to cover the 1K, 5K and 11K courses for the event.
“The centre of everything we do is supporting children and youth to be the best they can be,” she said.
In their welcoming space at 700 D'Arcy St., they strive for a nonjudgmental approach in offering vital support services to local children and youth and their families to develop their capacity to meet life's challenges.
A dedicated professional staff of 13 provide individual services as well as larger-scale programming. And more than 70 volunteers work tirelessly on everything from the youth justice committee and guitar lessons to literacy and learning.
Their numbers have doubled over the last five years, Beauchamp said. And with more than 1,000 young people served over the past six months, those numbers are on track to triple.
A big success at the Kilometres For Kids events will help that work to continue.
“Every $100 helps a young person reach their personal wellness and life goals,” she said, urging councillors to participate – and perhaps even challenge their colleagues from other municipalities.
And given that it takes place soon after Thanksgiving, she added, it's a great chance to burn off some calories.
