The Brazeau Empowerment and Support Team (BEST) Youth Hub has become the newest chapter of the Kickstand organization, which should improve the mental health support available to youth in Drayton Valley.
Moving forward, BEST Youth Hub will be known as Kickstand Drayton Valley, now one of five chapters under the province-wide organization.
Created in 2020, Kickstand is a non-profit dedicated to advancing youth mental health across Alberta. The organization receives core funding from the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction via a grant agreement. Those funds get combined with philanthropic donations through Kickstand’s partnership with the Mental Health Foundation and various research funds.
Services are offered freely to those between the ages of 11 and 25, with a focus on social services, peer support, Indigenous wellness, primary care and substance use prevention and supports.
Johanna Shaw, program manager for Kickstand Drayton Valley, said having access to Kickstand’s organizational network has been a boon.
“Under Kickstand, our funding has increased; our collaborative partnerships with other organizations have increased,” she said. “Our lead agency is now the Drayton Valley Primary Care Network, so having that connection means that youth will have access to more primary care supports under our roof, where they feel safe.”
The services have also moved locations, significantly increasing the number of youths the new Kickstand chapter can serve.
Shaw said when she started in 2023, BEST Youth Hub was operating out of a space of about 1,400 square feet and saw about 75 visits per month from 10-15 unique youths. In May, working out of its new 7,000 square feet location, it served closer to 80 unique youths across 350 visits.
Drayton Valley youths in need of support do not need a referral to access services. Youth, as well as their parents and guardians, are welcome to drop in to Kickstand from Monday-Friday between 12:30-7 p.m. to see the space and/or access support.
“We really want the community to come and have a look at our beautiful space and see that it’s a safe, good place for young people to be and access services,” Shaw added.
BEST Youth Hub was previously operated as a subcommittee under the Healthy Communities Coalition and worked independently with some direction from the Canadian Mental Health Association. Shaw explained, as Kickstand Drayton Valley, it joins a network of integrated youth services with a dedicated board of directors, better resources and a wrap-around approach to support.
Kickstand Drayton Valley held a grand opening event on June 25 to inform the community of and celebrate the change.
Other Kickstand locations include Bonnyville, Grande Prairie, Fort Saskatchewan and Edmonton.
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