The community has thrown its support behind new-look youth centre The Hive with more than 250 people swarming to the official opening on Friday, April 7.
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Organisers said they were overwhelmed by the turnout at the launch, which was planned as a vibrant and colourful celebration of the new location in Lavington and the young people it supports.
Rotary Albury West also announced that YES Youth and Family Services would be among the beneficiaries of this year’s Nail Can Hill Run, with a donation for the Broughton House Youth Refuge bedroom renovations project.
YES youth services program manager Tam Quinn praised the hard work and enthusiasm of the new Changemakers team, which introduced guest speakers, ran the pop-up shop and assisted with catering on the day.
Changemakers is a diverse group of young people, ranging in age from 12 to 18 years, who will help YES decision-makers better deliver events and programs for Border youth.
“The success of their first event has inspired them for the future and they have so many ideas about what they want to throw their energy into next,” Ms Quinn said.
There were new faces among the familiar ones and Ms Quinn said the team was heartened to see young people’s families going along to support them.
“The team loved the chance to give tours of our space and showcase the work we do,” she said.
“We raised $400 at the pop-up shop and everyone in attendance thought this was such a great concept that there were requests we take it on the road and set up at different places around Albury.”
Ms Quinn said money raised would go directly back into continuing the sustainability of the pop-up shop concept.
In the lead-up to Friday’s launch, young people were busy with creative projects for the shop, including making stress balls, painting flower pots and building bird feeders.
Bolstered by their success, young people are expanding their retail horizons with talk of dream catchers, photo frames, heat bags, hanging mobiles, magnets, bath bombs, body butters, soaps, and cushions on the to-make list.
The Hive’s program development manager Michelle Milligan said the team at YES had worked hard to build a fresh approach to the youth centre at its new location in the former Lavington library.
There was little argument from visitors about the bright, inviting space with table tennis, games, a big screen and guitars to enjoy as well as comfy chairs and a “dream den” where imaginations can run wild on creative projects.
