U-Connect with the Richmond Youth and Services Agency

“RYSA is community and recognized charitable organization that was started in 1974 by a group of committed and passionate young people with the help of a United Way grant. Our organization began with the goal of making sure that community youth received the support, resources and opportunities they needed to succeed and achieve their dreams. Over the last 34 years our organization has evolved and grown along with our community. Today RYSA works with our community to make certain youth thrive and are given every opportunity to succeed today and tomorrow”.   – RYSA.

The mission of the Richmond Youth Service Agency is to be a leading provider of programs and services, aiding the diverse social, academic, and professional needs of youth.  The organization is continuously working towards advancing their influence and, thereofore, the positive community engagment by connecting youth with their community.  This enables individuals to realize their potential and undersand the many opportunities avaialble to youth.

The organization offers several services and programs in Richmond including: counseling for children and youth in partnership with the Richmond School District and Richmond Health Services, the only youth centre in Richmond, a career and employment resource centre for youth, after school programs, volunteer and leadership opportunities, fun activities and recreation, special events and celebrations, cultural awareness activities, health and wellness supports and an Aboriginal Centre that supports the needs of local Aboriginal youth.

The Agency is planning their fourth annual U-Connect Career and Community Fair scheduled to take place October 8^th and 9^th. It is a fair targeted at youth ages 15-30 who are looking for jobs, planning for a career and discovering what their community has to offer.

If you would like to volunteer for this event or with the organization, the RYSA offers various volunteer and leadership opportunities at the Richmond Youth Centre. If you want to learn more about these opportunities, contact Angela Chan at angela.chan@rysa.bc.ca.  If you want to learn more about the RYSA check them out on Twitter or on their website

By David Swanson