By Justine Kelsie

More youth attending Cool Aid Society programming

Apr 28, 2018 | 6:26 AM

A Grande Prairie staple in the community since 1979 is seeing more use year-over-year. 

Executive Director Helen Ficocelli says the youth spread the word and more of their friends end up attending the programming. When it originally opened, Cool Aid Society was meant for teens between 13 and 17 that were on the street with no place to go. Fococelli says that has changed a bit and has become more open to all children and teens.

“We are teaching kids how to be kids and have fun. One time, there were beautiful clouds in the sky and the staff had all of the kids on the ground looking up at the clouds. It is a simple task, but they enjoyed it,” said the Executive Director. 

Programs run at the two locations, in Hillside and Southside, weekly. The South location has children, tween, and teen programs while the Hillside area building hosts children and tween programs. Activities could be planned by staff members or there could be monitored free time. 

With July and August around the corner, Ficocelli anticipates another busy summer as many kids make their way to the programs from all over the city. 

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“Very often we don’t have the same kids as the school year. The parents sometimes make the kids find something else to do in the summer because they get too used to Cool Aid.” 

In the 2016/2017 year, there were approximately 13,831 visitors to the programs which is up 24 per cent from the previous year, according to a report to the city from Ficocelli. Each month the staff will see between 100 to 171 different children.