Life is filled with beautiful irony, as Mike Denis can certainly appreciate.
The 21-year-old Miltonian now finds himself studying to be a child and youth worker – committed to providing the very same support he initially resisted.
Struggling with anger issues and a lack of confidence at the onset of adolescence, Denis first heard about Re:Soul through a hockey teammate.
The idea of joining a youth centre seemed interesting enough, but wasn’t exactly embraced. At least not at first.
“I really didn’t want to get out of the car, so we just drove away,” recalled Denis, of his first arrival at 900 Nipissing Rd.
The then 12 year old made a second visit a short while later, and this time made it through the door – where a world of community and connection awaited.
“It just had that impact on me right away. I felt safe and comforted,” said Denis, who came to Re:Soul during a transitional stage for the centre and forged a life-altering bond with then new director Michael Burns. He now serves as a youth intern while studying at Sheridan College, with his closest friends all fellow Re:Soul alumnus. “It was definitely the vibe and the feeling. I walked in and everyone was just with each other and doing their thing… it was like a family already.
“It was super overwhelmingly welcoming, in a good way. I felt accepted for who I was.”
Recently celebrating its 20th anniversary, Re:Soul – which serves under the South Western Ontario Youth for Christ umbrella – welcomes those in Grade 6 to 12 of all faiths and backgrounds.
Originally run by Milton Bible Church out of its then basement at 200 Main St., the youth centre transitioned to Youth Unlimited YFC Milton and now operates out of adjoining portables filled with a myriad of recreational activities, as well as space for meals and peer discussion.
A homey, lived-in feel reaches all corners, with hundreds of photos on a number of boards capturing the countless friendships formed.
Welcoming 130 youth last year alone, Re:Soul offers both junior high and high school drop-ins, as well as one-on-one mentoring and both guys and girls nights – the latter now dubbed She Thrives.
And as Burns is quick to point out, the centre isn’t just for those society often labels as troublemakers or at-risk youth.
“That’s a myth we’re constantly trying to bust. We’ve got some high-achieving youth here, and many who by all accounts come from amazing families. Our doors are open to absolutely everyone and anyone who fits in our age demographic,” said the director, who runs Re:Soul alongside child and youth worker Breanna Caswell and youth workers Daniel Amaral and Nick McDonald.
Addressing another preconceived notion, Burns says that while questions surrounding faith come up during ‘Soul Talk’ time, Christianity – or belief in general – is never forced or discussed in a heavy-handed manner.
“We don’t do that,” he stressed, while admitting that some youth – like Mike – have come to 'lean into' faith. “I can’t think of any resistance we’ve ever had to Soul Talks. The kids are pretty engaged, and they’re asking themselves these questions anyway.”
For those a little uneasy about opening up right away… hey, that’s totally fine.
“That’s part of what drew me (here), that kids could come and feel safe and just be themselves,” said Amaral, a rural Nova Scotia native who runs a Bible study and photography session as part of his overall responsibilities. “They feel part of a community.”
Added Denis, “I tell people, just come and see for yourself, because this place speaks for itself.”
Among Re:Soul’s primary goals – said Burns – is to instill a sense of value in youth. Teens are recognized for their current worth, not just their potential.
That means letting each person who walks through the door share, interact and – essentially – grow at their own pace.
After all, the reasons for coming to Re:Soul as varied and unique as the youth themselves.
“We want youth to know that we see you, we respect you, we value you,” said Burns, whose team is currently gearing up for its Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser in support of the centre’s operations. “Every teenager needs adults in their lives, apart from their parents, to come along side them, care for them, encourage them, mentor and guide them. Everyone.”
Denis couldn’t agree more.
“Michael pulled me out of the gutter. He helped put my life back on two feet when I was on one toe. I really want to give back some of what I got here.”
Visit yfcmilton.com for more on the centre’s vision and programming.