CHESTERMERE – The en Compass Evangelical Free Church group, who late last year were able to finally find a semi-permanent place to base themselves within the community, are looking to expand some of the youth programs that they currently offer.
Kids of Integrity, which is for those aged six to ten, as well as Club 68, for those in Grade 6, 7 or 8, meet every Tuesday at Chestermere Lake Middle School from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Pastor Paul Jansen said that the youth programs show local kids how to be kind, honest, respectful and forgiving through games, stories, crafts and singing.
“We have a good time and the kids learn a lot,” said Pastor Paul Jansen, who started en Compass along with his wife Dale. “We do all these activities not only to teach the kids, but also to work on character building.”
Once a month, the group takes part in a theme party. Last month it was a Pirate Party, this month it will be a Valentine’s party, and over the next few months they will also be having a Hawaiian as well as an Alien themed night.
Jansen said that although they have a good sized group of kids who take part in the programs, they are looking to expand the groups to keep them feasible.
“We are non-profit and our registration fee has been purposely kept low to enable
any child to attend,” he said. “We have had people sponsor some children for the annual fee per child of $75.00, or assist in other costs such as our rental fees and supplies for crafts and games.
”Although this has been helpful, our low fees do create a shortfall.”
Last year, en Compass was assisted by a grant from the United Way, however that source of funding for after school programming has been discontinued for 2012.
“We are a community organization looking for individual or business partners to assist in any
way possible,” he said. “We would like to get more kids involved, but we also need some help to keep our programs going.”
For more information about the en Compass Evangelical Free Church, to register your child for a program, or to sponsor the youth programs, go to en-compass.ca or contact Paul and Dale Jansen at daleandpaul@hotmail.com or call 403-293-4129.
