(file photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Melfort Youth Evolution

Melfort Youth Evolution moving from Big Brothers Big Sisters to NEOSS umbrella

Dec 2, 2019 | 5:07 PM

The Melfort Youth Evolution has been under the Big Brothers Big Sisters Melfort umbrella since their inception in 2017, but that is changing.

It was announced on Nov. 29 the Melfort Youth Evolution would be moving under the Northeast Outreach and Support Services (NEOSS) umbrella, and as a result, dissolving Big Brothers Big Sisters Melfort.

Kim Megyesi is the executive director for Big Brothers Big Sisters Saskatoon and area and said the transition didn’t come because Big Brother Big Sisters wasn’t working in Melfort.

“It was really about creating a safe space for [kids] to come and be together and hang out, and learn from one another,” she said. “And yet have a good time together.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters came to Melfort in 2011, and through the last few years, Megyesi said from listening to the youth of the area the one-on-one structure of Big Brothers Big Sisters maybe wasn’t the best thing for the youth of Melfort. She added that having a local lead group is big too.

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“I also think it’s super important that leadership comes from a local level,” Megyesi told northeastNOW. “And [NEOSS] was willing to take on that role and to really see Youth Evolution thrive in the community through a supportive, local entity.”

There isn’t much that is going to change for Melfort Youth Evolution as a result. They’ll still be a youth council that comes together to volunteer and give them a safe place.

The biggest change might be a title change for Kathryn Carswell who was the development coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters, but now becomes the Youth Coordinator for NEOSS, creating a new branch in the organization. She said Big Brothers Big Sisters was having trouble getting mentors for a bit, but this transition will benefit the youth.

“This is better because now we can directly serve youth,” Carswell said. “It’s youth empowering youth.”

Looking forward, Carswell said the Melfort Youth Evolution is in a bit of a “rebuild” this fall and into the winter. They’ve had some youth age out and move on for education so they are looking for new members to join.

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mat.barrett@jpbg

On Twitter: @matbarrett