ABOUT THE EVENT

Now in its 16th year, the Awesome Auction has become a major source of fundraising for the Ottawa Police Youth Centre, and now for Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa with the 2002 merger of the Centre with the Club.

Last year the Awesome Auction raised over $90,000 for the Centre. This year, organizers hope to beat that amount and are aiming for a $100,000 evening. This event has raised over $800,000.00 to date.

The Ottawa Police Youth Centre
The Ottawa Police Youth Centre represents an innovative, proactive approach to youth crime prevention. Established in 1992, it is a program founded on the idea that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." In the case of the Youth Centre, that means providing young people with positive alternatives to the increasingly negative temptations that exist in society.

The Ottawa Police Service has been widely recognized as a progressive, visionary service for its development and continued support of the Ottawa Police Youth Centre, an important undertaking that is consistent with a preventative approach to community policing. The accolades it has received speak to the committed and comprehensive investment of effort that has succeeded in making a difference in the lives of our youth.

The youth at the Centre, aged 6-19, participate in a wide array of programs that include sports, recreation, guidance, counseling, crisis intervention, family support, life skills, leadership training, youth council, homework and computer club, camping, scholarship program and more.

The formula for success seems to be a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere; coupled with the genuine commitment of a competent and caring staff team, where trusting relationships develop and evolve. The positive role models at the Centre strive to embody good character, and model respect and integrity while holding high expectations of the conduct of all youth who participate.

It is a philosophy that has truly made a difference. The community, as a whole, has reaped the benefits derived from the magic of this innovative program.

The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa
In 1923, when Fred McCann began the first Boys and Girls Club in Ottawa, his vision was to reach out and guide the city's youth in the right direction. Now, nearly a century later that vision is stronger than ever.

The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa has served the Ottawa community for 80 years, reaching out to thousands of children and youth each year through recreational and educational programs that build self-esteem and help to develop stronger social skills. Although our doors are open to all kids, we have a particular emphasis on those who are in need of additional support. This means that in some cases, the club takes on a very important role in a child's life.

Our staff members act as role models, teachers, mentors and lifelong friends. Each day we make a difference in a child's life. This is the passion that drives us, and the reason why we are essential to this community.

The Merger...
On January 1, 2002, the Ottawa Police Youth Centre merged with the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa in an effort to reduce costs and eliminate program duplication. The Club and the Centre management determined that combining their efforts would go a long way in helping Ottawa youth and reducing costs for program provision. Through more effective use of staff and by sharing resources, they are now creating opportunities for new or expanded programs and enhanced services. To date, the merger has been a success.

Because organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa have been around for many years, it is easy to take their existence for granted. This valuable resource for our community provides a broad range of both traditional and special programs and services.

The Boys and Girls Club also offers programs and services to youth in areas of high need. Since 1995, the Club has partnered with Minto Developments Inc., one of Ottawa's largest rental property owners, to jointly run three outreach centres located in the basements of Minto properties. At these centres, adolescents have access, in their immediate community, to sports, a homework club, cooking, social outings, leadership opportunities, cultural programs and inter-generational activities with seniors.

Other valuable programs include the Preventive Intervention Program. Through this initiative, youth who may be facing criminal charges have access to guidance from professional staff. They can enroll in awareness programs on the personal, economic and social impacts of criminal behaviour. Youth are also mentored by university students who spend help them develop positive life skills.

Like the Boys and Girls Club, the Police Youth Centre offers a variety of valuable programs to youth of all ages and backgrounds. A recreational centre for young people in the west end of Ottawa, the Police Youth Centre is a model of preventive-style community policing that encourages youth to participate in and organize their own activities as well as to develop leadership skills.

Serving approximately 100 youth every night, and a total of 1,400 registered youth members, the Centre offers such activities as a Homework Club, a modest Scholarship Program, recreational services, social support and innovative programs such as preventive services, which provides alternatives to incarceration.

The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Youth Centre believe that kids need to be the winners. This collaboration involving the two organizations is very much a winning combination for young people in our community.

Both organizations have served the community well individually, and now, together, they engage children and youth from all parts our community in healthy, pro-social activities that will provide them with the tools for brighter and fuller futures.