After extensive renovations inside and out, a youth center in Dresden is preparing to become fully operational as the pandemic winds down.
The Dresden Sidestreets Youth Center received funds from the Chatham-Kent Community Foundation, the South Kent Winds and a Municipality of Chatham-Kent community improvement grant that paid for new siding, windows and signage to improve its building’s exterior, along with renovations to a backroom to provide more space.
“We’re just starting to get back into the swing of things,” said Tyler Ouellette, a volunteer director with the youth centre.
Before the pandemic arrived two years ago, the center was serving 25 to 30 kids after school during the week, but Ouellette said the hours of operation are now reduced to three hours each day from Wednesday to Friday.
The goal, he said, is to reopen every day of the week but more funding is needed to achieve that.
As with almost all non-profit organizations, COVID-19 took a toll on the centre’s fundraising efforts.
Ouellette said pandemic shutdowns prevented the center from holding its usual fundraisers, such as barbecues at community events. Changes made during COVID to an outside organization that was the centre’s main source of funding also meant that money was no longer available.
“We’re currently running off reserves … and we’re working on a few opportunities now,” Ouellette said.
Along with a totally renovated space, he said the center has the benefit of owning the building.
After renting a space for years, center officials made the decision to buy its building in 2013 “to become more sustainable.”
There is space on the second floor that is rented for storage and that helps cover operating costs.
Ouellette said it costs about $40,000 for the youth center to operate five days a week throughout the year, which includes covering two part-time staff and supplies.
“We try to run as fiscally responsible as possible,” he said.
The center building is also used by other community groups.
“The youth center has opened its doors to other organizations, such Dresden Shines to stage Christmas decorating and for holding organizational meetings,” said volunteer Liz Kominek, who serves on both the Sidestreets Youth Center and Dresden BIA boards while also co-chairing the Dresden Shines committee.
“This newly renovated room will be an even greater asset for future projects and (the building will) continue to serve as a community hub,” she added in a written release.
Renovations to the center are already having positive impact on nearby businesses.
“Having a more attractive street adds to the overall feel of the downtown,” said Myrian Armstrong of The Hub and Spoke in the release. “It was also great that the upgrades complement not only their building, but the style of our little stretch of downtown. The impact of their work is felt way past their property, and we hope these types of projects will continue in the future.”
Ouellette said the youth center has been operating in the community for 21 years, providing a space where kids can hang out with friends, do homework or find a sympathetic ear among staff and volunteers.
“It gives the youth a place to go, especially in a smaller town like this, that is safe and supervised,” Ouellette said.