In Waterdown, youth worker Marcel Knot has been coordinating programs for area youths for almost four years. He has opened up the basement of his home on Parkside Drive for youth who have a passion for music and need a place to record their songs. He has accompanied local youth on camping trips and a March Break visit to Florida and has lent an empatheticear to their life issues while providing one-on-one mentoring.

Waterdown parent Penny Deathe has seen the positive results of Knot's work, not only with her own teenaged son but also with other youth in the community. As one of eight parents on a steering committee that helps guide the local program, she says Knot's time "in front of the kids" is too valuable for him to be distracted by the need to raise funds to help pay his salary. (Because Youth Unlimited is a non-profit charity group, its youth workers are obligated to raise 90 per cent of their salaries).

To help cover staffing costs, as well as support local Youth Unlimited programs and a plan to build a Youth Centre in Waterdown, the steering committee has organized two "Cruise for Kids" events. The first, a repeat from last year, will be an evening dessert cruise aboard the Hamilton Harbour Queen on September 18. Tickets for the three-hour cruise cost $65 per person and include refreshments, a wide selection of treats and live entertainment. For more information or tickets, call Knot at 289-439-3411 or e-mail him at marcel.knot@sympatico.ca.

An extensive winter holiday cruise has also been planned for early next year. A seven-day Caribbean trip, offered at a special rate by Carnival Cruise Lines, will leave Miami on February 28. Additional details and brochures can be obtained by contacting steering committee member Arlene Reemeyer-Nagy, Travelonly Travel Consultant, at 905-689-3498 or by e-mail at anagy@travelonly.com.

Besides the Youth Wave Recordings program that allows teens to record music after school in Knot's home, there are several other activities available for teens. The Friday Club, held every Friday night, "encourages youths to be there for one another" by providing them with a safe, comfortable setting to meet with their peers, Knot explained.

"It's kids mentoring each other," Deathe added, noting that one teen who recently lost a family member to cancer was able to help another going through a similar situation.

A monthly youth café is held Fridays at St. James United Church, a summer camp is planned for August, and when school starts up in September, Knot will resume his regular visits to Waterdown District High School, where he connects with many students, including those in the construction class.

Marcel's wife, Andrea, recently started a girls' group that talks about developing self-worth and self-esteem. Plans are being made to hire a female youth worker who will work exclusively with female teens to resolve various issues.

"There's so much need there," Deathe said, adding that self-worth is "a big thing" for teens.

Providing youth with a non-threatening environment where they can be themselves is important, Knot said, adding that youth need a place to belong. He alluded to a recent conversation with a teen boy who told him, "My family are my friends."

While local sponsors and corporate donations help support the Waterdown youth program, plans are under way to develop other ways to fund activities, such as monthly donations from residents and events organized by youths, such as Wing Stock, a student concert held at WDHS that raised $450 for Youth Unlimited in June.