Mohammed Abdelgadir and Prescott Wick are the new youth outreach workers for the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs in Osoyoos and Oliver. Local youth are encouraged to check out the free programs this summer. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
Even though adults were kids once, it’s hard for many of them to relate to today’s youth.
But that won’t be a problem for Prescott Wick and Mohammed Abdelgadir – the new outreach workers for the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs in Osoyoos and Oliver.
Abdelgadir, 26, and Wick, 20, have been hired to run the free July and August youth programs in their respective communities.
Abdelgadir hails from Ontario and is studying political science at Brock University.
He was visiting friends and family in Osoyoos when he saw the summer job posting online.
Abdelgadir previously worked as a young adult peer leader in the Niagara region, and also helped run a youth organization.
He grew up utilizing similar youth programs when he was a kid, and then found himself delivering those same programs later in life.
“I found those relationships very rewarding, having kids look up to you and taking your advice.”
Abdelgadir said kids are faced with a lot of struggles and challenges that many adults and parents do not fully understand or appreciate.
“Peer pressure is just the tip of it,” he stated.
For Abdelgadir, school was a real challenge, so he understands what some kids are going through.
“For many kids, coming back home (from school) is a challenge.”
The outreach worker said he wants to create an environment where they can build a healthy rapport with the kids, a rapport that some youth don’t have at home or at school.
“I want to broaden their horizons. If I have an impact on one kid, I would be happy.”
Wick added that he wants to create a space where the youth feel safe.
That’s what he appreciated when he took advantage of the youth programs offered by the club in Oliver. Now it’s his turn to reach out.
“Kids go through a lot of hard times and I want to help.”
Wick said youth tend to be more up front and honest than adults.
“We need to treat them as a human, not just as a child.”
Wick agreed that peer pressure is a struggle, noting that kids haven’t yet developed a part of their brain that doesn’t worry about how they look or what other people think of them.
Laurene Sloboda, youth centre director, said both of these young men remember what it was like to struggle as a teen.
“That’s what made me excited to hire them, because they get it,” she said.
Abdelgadir will run the Osoyoos (outdoor) program on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Sonora Centre, the same place where Club 10-16 for youth operates Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Activities include water sports, hiking, basketball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, etc.
For a calendar of events, check out the Oliver Boys and Girls Club Facebook page.
The Oliver program, run by Wick, will target ages 10-13 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The meeting place will be outdoors at Oliver Elementary School on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday the program will be indoors at Oliver United Church (in the basement). Activities will include sports, crafts, board games, movie days, scavenger hunts, tie dying and baking.
Sloboda thanked the church for partnering with the club this summer, noting it’s a great relationship.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
