"This is a much needed program in Abbotsford. My child would not be prospering socially without the AYC, and it has helped him get out of the house when he was really depressed, struggling to make friends, and in a vulnerable place. The AYC gave him a place with no expectations, just to bring himself and be welcomed for who he is. As a parent, I cannot describe how valuable this is to have a place for a struggling teen to go to. The AYC is making a huge impact on the future of teens in this town, as it seems to give a place to those who are lost. Lost teens need a beacon of light, to save them from the dark, and to our family, the AYC has been that light."

"The AYC staff has been supportive to me because they are fun to talk to and they also create and maintain a safe environment ... Having a safe and comfortable environment is really important to me because this kind of environment is hard to find outside of AYC among other friends. I have been bullied since I was 9 years old and it slowed down at 15 but AYC is a place where there are people my age, where I know I can be myself ... Being at AYC has allowed me to meet new people that I wouldn’t have met and try new things that I wouldn’t have tried."

"My daughter loves attending the youth centre after school. She also does the youth nights samplers and camps during the summer. It’s a fantastic way to get her out with new peers and it’s so affordable which is so greatly appreciated -these days especially. The youth workers are amazing and caring. We love it here. [The staff] are just amazing. You can tell they actually care about the kids and they enjoy their job. It’s refreshing. And they are such positive role models for the youth that attend."

"AYC made a difference for me because it’s somewhere I can go if I need help with anything and they’re always there for me."

"AYC has been a very welcoming place for my special needs daughter. She thoroughly enjoyed afterschool drop in and summer camps! She is special needs and is quite shy when it comes to making friends, AYC gave her a great environment to have social contact. My daughter felt very included, she felt a real part of the group and learned a lot at art camp and at leadership camp. The staff ensured she didn’t just attend but really participated. I am a full-time single parent with a special needs daughter. I work fulltime and am so grateful our community has a safe and welcoming place like AYC."

"AYC has given me new friends and people to talk to, as well as more adults that I can trust."