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Youth get chance to Gear Up for cold – Metro US

Youth get chance to Gear Up for cold

Everyone knows this beautiful weather won’t last forever, and so a few Calgary organizations helped about 200 at-risk youth “Gear Up” for winter on Thursday.

Put on by a collective of youth agencies, the event targeted at-risk, street-connected and homeless youth aged 12 to 25.

“It is a grassroots, feel-good Gear Up for winter (to) provide youth with resources and necessities to help them survive,” said Danene Lenstra, Gear Up committee member and team lead at the Alex Youth Health Centre.

The one-stop shop was located at the Knox United Church at 506–4th St. SW, and gave youth a chance to pick up clothing, backpacks and hygiene supplies.

Aside from material items they may need to survive a Calgary winter, services such as flu shots, dental care and haircuts were also provided.

“I think it means a lot to the kids,” said Lenstra.

Help was also on hand for youth seeking birth certificates and health care. The event is held only once a year due to lack of resources.

“We have no funding, it is all by donation,” said Lenstra.

One struggling 18-year-old, who has benefitted from the Alex Youth Health Centre and events like Gear Up, spent his afternoon giving back by volunteering at the event.

“The Alex has helped me out so much to help me transition into a home,” said Ethan Myers.

Myers has just completed Grade 11 and said he plans on working towards his GED.

“I kind of dropped out so I could get my life back in order,” said Myers, who is working toward finding a job before going back to school.