The small but mighty Boys and Girls Club in Norris Arm provides this safe supportive space for an average of 75 youth every day.  The Club truly is an integral part of the community, and they were interested in expanding the youth’s involvement in the community as a whole through a volunteer training program.

United Way’s Community Fund grant enabled Norris Arm Boys and Girls Club to implement a training and recruitment program aimed specifically at youth.  As the population of the area grows older, so too does the volunteer base.  The Club recognized the need for more volunteers in the community and wanted to give the youth the training and capacity to become more engaged in local events and activities, both within the Club and in the community at large.

Fifteen youth participated in the program, accessing First Aid and High Five training. The Club partnered with the local Recreation Committee and the youth volunteered with the committee’s events and  activities throughout the year.  The volunteers also gave their time to the Club’s Homework Haven program, assisting 35 of the club members in this program with their school work during after school programming.

“I have been a part of the volunteer Program at the Norris Arm Boys and Girls Club since it started…this is my first time volunteering and I am really enjoying taking part in programs at the Club. I help the kids with their crafts and homework and I also prepare snacks for them. And much to my surprise I even like doing the dishes. 

I get to be with my friends and at the same time we are making a difference by heling the Boys and Girls Clubs with their programs. 

Because of this program I have learned the important work volunteers do in the Community and I will be looking for more opportunities to volunteer.

My name is Tao Rowsell and I am thirteen years old and have been a member of the Norris Arm Boys and Girls Club since I was five years old”

~Youth Volunteer Training program participant

Central to Home Again is a cycle of giving and receiving that provides our most vulnerable citizens the means to create a home. Home Again provides furniture and household items with a focus on generating comfort and dignity to the recipients. Getting a good night’s sleep on a proper bed makes moving forward seem feasible. Having a sofa to relax on with family makes life more enjoyable. Being able to offer family and friends a chair to sit on or a table to gather around brings dignity. Home Again helps to build pride in homes and pride in our community.

United Way’s Community Fund grant enabled Home Again Furniture Bank to give the dignity of a good night’s rest to 33 people that prior to this would have had inadequate sleeping arrangements – often floors or inflatable mattresses become the norm for those that are unable to secure mattresses for themselves.  New mattresses are provided, and in many ways new mattresses can be the start of a new beginning.

“When I arrived back in St. John’s, it was the fourth move in a year for me and my daughter. We have been escaping the danger of an abusive and obsessive ex-partner…coming home to Newfoundland felt like the right thing to do.  The last year had left me financially devastated, I had been sleeping on a futon and my daughter on a camping mattress. I went to the Women’s Centre in search of help and the compassionate woman referred my name to Home Again Furniture Bank.  The next day a moving truck arrived with furniture – real beds for my daughter and I!  My daughter was immediately overjoyed at having a real bed…she admitted that she had been waking up on the floor in the middle of the night needing to re-inflate the campaign mattress. She sleeps better….i wish to express heartfelt gratitude to your organizations. And not just for the furniture…thank you for the demonstration of simple human kindness. I feel we are much better equipped to being the process of healing and hopfully thriving as a family.  My daughter wanted me to add that maybe she can now also invite friends over! Thank you.”

~Home Again Furniture Bank Client