THUNDER BAY — A youth centre in the Simpson-Ogden neighbourhood is launching what it hopes will become its signature annual fundraiser, saying it needs the help more than ever as it emerges from the pandemic.
Evergreen: A United Neighbourhood runs an after-school drop-in program for children and youth out of a house on Heron Street, offering activities, meals, and mentorship, and supporting families with groceries and other needs.
Executive director Linda Bruins said while she’s sometimes been hesitant to ask the community for assistance, she’s hoping a March 25 ‘Rocking Spring Fundraiser’ featuring food, dance, and live music will help the organization reemerge strong from the pandemic, which she said has brought increased challenges.
“I think it’s time for us to get out and sing and dance and celebrate again,” she said. “And you know what, it’s a great way to raise money for [Evergreen].”
“We’re at a crucial time. We truly, truly need the community support in order for us to keep operating and supporting these amazing kids and families.”
Evergreen has become a linchpin of the neighbourhood since Bruins attended a community meeting in 2005 to discuss how to make the area a better place.
That planted the seed for Evergreen, which has been officially operating for 15 years.
The Heron Street house has become a go-to hangout for dozens of children and youth ranging from around five to 18 years old, with an after school drop-in program offering meals, art and other activities, computer access, and a welcoming space from Monday to Thursday.
The centre sees between 15 to 35 kids a day, and Bruins estimated it supported 400 families in total last year. For a neighbourhood that’s struggled with poverty and addiction, Bruins and other volunteers described Evergreen as a crucial refuge.
“It’s kind of like Cheers — it’s nice to go to a place where everybody knows your name,” she said. “There’s hugs and laughing, and it’s playful and fun. Because no matter who you are in the world, we all have trouble.”
Darien, 11, who’s come to Evergreen for five years, said it’s a place he knows he’ll find a meal and some friends — new or old — to hang out with.
“There’s games and there’s food upstairs,” he said. “They make you feel like you’re welcome here.”
Zoey, 10, has been coming for just as long and described Bruins as family.
She said Evergreen offers the chance to do things she might not get to do otherwise, like going on a field trip to Kakabeka Falls.
Stan, 18, said he helps out at the centre because he’s seen the impact it can have on neighbourhood kids, himself included.
“At first I was iffy, but they told me it was a really amazing place, and I gave it a shot,” he said. “Linda helped me out with a bunch of food when I needed it, and I’d say got me out of hanging out with the wrong friend group, because I was going down that path.”
“This is just that safe place. It’s like our second home, we’re all family here.”
Raechel Reed has lived in the Ogden-Simpson neighbourhood for around 25 years, where she’s raised her four children.
It’s an area she said didn’t offer much in the way of recreation for kids. She called Evergreen’s presence transformational.
“[Bruins] has been there for all of the neighbourhood kids for as long as I can remember,” she said. “She’s like the community mom. She knows all the kids. If anything ever happens, any kind of drama to do with any family in the neighbourhood, she’d be the first person to know — and then it would be a matter of, how are we going to fix [this]?”
Marc Blais, who also lives in the area, said he began helping with maintenance around the centre because he saw the same impact.
“I know the reputation of this street and certain things that are happening, and I thought, I’d like to help,” he said. “I wanted to volunteer, because I know every kid needs a chance.”
“These kids feel safe when they come here. That’s why I’m helping out.”
Coun. Brian Hamilton called Evergreen a key contributor to community safety in his McKellar ward, saying it gave kids a hand and a trusted place to turn.
“It sets them up with not only confidence, but that support system,” he said.
Bruins watched the COVID-19 pandemic hit the neighbourhood harder than most in the city.
“A lot of the people in this community suffered greatly during COVID,” she said. “If you read the indicators, overhoused populations, a lot of big families – so COVID hit a lot of families [hard].”
Evergreen continued operating during the pandemic, delivering food and later opening with capacity limits and masks.
Bruins said while social challenges grew during COVID, securing funding became more difficult.
“It has gotten significantly more challenging for the not-for-profits, and that is definitely a result of COVID,” she said. “I’ve learned to ask for help and ask for money, because it’s essential.”
She estimated around $200,000 a year is a comfortable annual budget for the centre, but they typically get by with less than that.
Evergreen is hoping to bolster that budget with the Rocking Spring Fundraiser, which takes place on Saturday, March 25 at the Slovak Legion.
The event will feature the World Cultural Dancers and a party with locals The Gin Tonics, a three-piece that brings an acoustic rock twist to Top 40 and classic rock hits and forgotten gems.
More information is available online at the Evergreen Facebook page, or by calling (807) 626-0090.
