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Th ursday, November 16, 2017 • WATERLOO CHRONICLE • 13Serving your community since 1856 CITY LIFE WATERLOO CHRONICLEWATERLOO CHRONICLE AROUND TOWN By Bob Vrbanac Chronicle Sta� Ensuring all kids have the same oppor-tunities and the chance to have experi-ences that will broaden their minds is the goal of Life Change Adventures. Run out of a storefront in the mall at the corner of Phillip and Albert streets, the pro- gram has had a nomadic existence for the past few years before moving into donated space provided by mall owner Greg Zehr. Jeremy Horne, executive director of Life Change Adventures, said it grew out of a call to help give kids in the Sunnydale neighbour- hood something as simple as a new play- ground to give them a chance to be active instead of leaving them to their own devices. The program has since expanded to the neighbourhoods surrounding Albert Street, which has become an induction point for a lot of new Canadians in Waterloo, including recent refugees. Horne said Waterloo is generally seen as an affluent community, but the affluence hasn't reached all areas of the city. � ere are still neighbourhoods and communities that need support and programs that will give their children something to do after school or in the summer. "We have about 100 kids who orbit around us, and they're all teens," said Horne. "� ey're in Grade 7 to Grade 12 and nobody ages out, we want to give them something in the neigh- bourhood for them to do." Last week they took a group of kids from the neighbourhood to Go Bananas in Kitch- ener, a kids only rock climbing gym. "It's been a really great experience. I enjoy meeting new people and seeing new faces," said Breanna Breault, 14. "We get to experi- ence so many new things, and just last night we got to go rock climbing, which was a lot of fun. "It was something we could do to be active and still interact with everyone." Life Change Adventures also matches those kids up with mentors like Scilla Owusu- Amoah, who came to study at the University of Waterloo from her native Ghana six years ago, and has since established a rapport with immigrant children. She is a role model for the opportunities that are out there for those vul- nerable communities with the right supports in place. "I did this a little bit when I was still in uni- versity," said Owusu-Amoah, a kinesiology grad from UW. "I volunteered my summers and that turned into weekly visits and I eventu- ally came to run the summer camps. "Once we got a grant here through our Breakthrough Program, I started to work here part-time." Owusu-Amoah still plans to go back to Ghana to work with children in need there, but in the meantime she is looking to help local kids succeed. "Right now I'm here, and I'm making the best of my time in the community here," she said. It's made a di� erence for Wengeul Leykun. "I like being a leader and helping other kids and supporting the community," she said. � e dilemma for the youth program is that they have to raise all the funding, and they depend on the kindness of the community. Horne has looked for a more permanent home for the youth centre rather than the new temporary home they moved into last June. But the available space the city has doesn't quite meet the group's needs, and the poten- tial shutting down of Wing 404 has taken away another local asset. "Now we have to rent a bus to go some- where," said Horne. "Usually, we're going to gymnasiums at churches because there aren't a lot of facilities around here. "� ere's nothing for kids after school when mom and dad don't have money and the kids aren't inclined to sports. What do they do?" Horne has been meeting with city and regional officials for solutions, but in the meantime is looking to the community for some support. � ey are setting up a charity called Adven- ture for Change. To help, you can email info@ lifechangeadventures.org or call 519-590-5316. Life changing adventures Program gives local youths experiences they normally wouldn't get Santa Claus coming to town Nov. 18 � e Lions Club of Kitchener presents the annual Kitchener-Waterloo Santa Claus Parade Nov. 18, start- ing at 10:30 a.m. at Frederick and Weber. The route will follow down Weber Street before ending at Erb Street in Waterloo at about Noon. Come see the jolly old elf as he makes his � rst visit to the region in preparation for his round the world trip on Dec. 25. For more information visit www.lionsclubofkitch- ener.com. Christmas Craft Show Nov. 18 at St. Louis St. Louis Roman Catholic Church is hosting a Christmas Craft Show in the gym, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 53 Allen St. E. Browsing and shopping has never been so much fun. Dozens of artisan vendors -- from holiday sweets and decorations, gifts, jewelry, art, to craft dog biscuits and more will be on site. Music from the church's children and youth choirs at noon and 1 p.m. Refreshments are from Rosi's Bak- ery. Garden Club Christmas sale Nov. 18 � e Garden Club of Kitchener-Waterloo is hold- ing its Holly & Ivy Christmas Sale, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Waterloo's First United Church, 18 William St. It features crafted items, fresh planters, flo- ral design and a tea room. Purchases are by cash or cheque only. For more information email gayander- son@bell.net. BOB VRBANAC PHOTO Scilla Owusu-Amoa, centre, is surrounded by some of the kids from Life Change Adventures. ONTARIO JUNIOR CITIZEN AWARDS Sponsored by: Nominate a Junior Citizen in your community! Celebrate what makes your community great.Celebrate what makes your community great. Do you know someone who is involved in worthwhile community service, is contributing while living with a limitation, has performed a heroic act, demonstrates individual excellence, or is going above and beyond to help others? If so, nominate them today! Nominations close November 30, 2017. Forms and information are available from this newspaper, and the Ontario Community Newspapers Association at ocna.org/juniorcitizen. Nadine Carter, Stouffville, ON 2016 Ontario Junior Citizen Mansimran Anand, Brampton, ON 2016 Ontario Junior Citizen Tyson Lefebvre Stittsville, ON 2015 Ontario Junior Citizen