Thank you from Access Youth: Year-End Update

by | Dec 19, 2025 | Blog Posts, Updates | 0 comments

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Dear Friends of Access Youth,

On behalf of our Board, Staff and Volunteers, I want to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and restful holiday season. I also want to thank you for supporting Access Youth Outreach Services and helping to ensure young people in our community have a safe place to turn when they need it most.

As we look back on the past year, one word continues to stand out: connection. Connection with youth. With partners. With one another as a team. This year brought growth, challenge, creativity, and meaningful moments that reminded us why our work matters so deeply.

Over the course of the year, I’m proud to say that Access Youth continued to:

  • Connect and show up for youth – Whether supporting housing stability, food security, mental health, school engagement, or simply being a steady and trusted presence, the work this year reinforced that consistency, care and trust make a difference. Youth engagement remained strong, and feedback affirmed the value of safe, welcoming, non-judgmental spaces.
  • Develop and strengthen partnerships – This year also marked an important step forward in collaboration. Relationships with schools, community organizations and funders deepened, opening doors to new opportunities and conversations about long-term sustainability and shared impact. 2026 will be a big year of partnerships for Access Youth, so stay tuned for more details!
  • Focus on and support for our team – None of this work happens in isolation. The past year highlighted the strength of our team. From informal check-ins to stepping in when someone needed support, the culture of care within Access Youth continues to be one of its greatest strengths. There were long days, full calendars, and moments where capacity was stretched, but there was also laughter, mutual respect, and a shared belief in the importance of the work.

As we move into the next year, we do so with momentum, lessons learned, and a renewed commitment to youth-centered, relationship-driven work. The foundation laid this year positions us well for what’s ahead, and the dedication of this team continues to be the heart of Access Youth.

Thank you for being on this journey with us. Your support makes everything possible. I look forward to connecting in again in 2026.

With gratitude,

Steve, Executive Director

Our Calendar

We’re currently preparing our 2026 Winter/Spring Outreach Calendar.
If you’d like the PRO Bus at your school or community event, please reach out!

Current Events

  • Now – December 22nd – Do your holiday shopping at PoMo Arts Blackberry Winter Arts Market and support Access youth (All proceeds support Access Youth)
  • Now – December 22nd – Visit Home Depot Port Coquitlam Orange Door Project (All funds support Access Youth)
  • Now – January 5th – Check out the Access Youth tree at 13th Annual Downtown PoCo Christmas Tree Festival
  • December 23rd – January 4th – Office Closed

Upcoming Events

  • Collaboration with Poco Bowl and Matteo’s Gelato – More details coming soon!
  • January 3rd, 2026 – Terry Fox Secondary Legacy Project 2026 Bottle Drive!  The Legacy Committee of Terry Fox Secondary has selected Access Youth as the beneficiary for 2026! Thank you!
  • January 2026 – Cassandra Cake Co. Coffee Drive for Access Youth – Stand by for more details!

Boughs, Bells & Brews!

Boughs, Bells & Brews Centrepiece-making fundraiser at The Parkside Brewery!

We’re so grateful for everyone who joined us for Boughs, Bells and Brews, our Coquitlam Florist centrepiece-making fundraiser at The Parkside Brewery.

Thank you to Catherine Polonio, Mark, and the amazing Coquitlam Florist team for sharing their creativity and expertise, and to The Parkside Brewery for generously hosting us and providing a complimentary craft beer for each participant.

Big thanks as well to Cassandra Cake Co. and Chef Karen Curtis of our Youth Gour-Made program for the delicious snacks, and to UBC Opera students Sarah Richardson and Olivia Howe for opening the event with their beautiful voices.

Shout-out to BCAA, KIS

 Lemonade, and Coquitlam Florist / Poco Sweet Shop for the fun door prizes!

Because of your support, proceeds from this event will help fund Access Youth programs supporting young people who are marginalized and facing multiple barriers. Together, we’re building a brighter, more compassionate community.

Program Spotlight: Youth Gour-Made

Did you know that Youth Gour-Made delivers 50 meals kits per week, feeding over 200 people? That’s right. Chef Karen, Janet Burns and our dedicated team of packagers, door-step ambassadors and drivers go out each week with fun, delicious recipes for youth and families.

Did you also know that Chef Karen teaches Youth Gour-Made Live, an in-person, live cooking class at Port Coquitlam Community Centre on Mondays and Thursdays? Please visit Youth | City of Port Coquitlam for more information and to register.

Our Youth Gour-Made program just made its final meal delivery for 2025! This program continues to grow in demand and impact—providing youth with hands-on culinary experience, life skills, and nutritious meals for the community.

Employee Spotlight: Chef Karen

Chef Karen Curtis co-founded Youth Gour-Made with Janet Burns and has been pouring her passion, time, and heart into the program ever since. Each week, she develops recipes, shops for ingredients, and leads hands-on cooking sessions with youth.

With more than 40 years in the food industry, Karen is all about connecting people to food in meaningful, accessible ways. She’s a champion for food security, a supporter of local farmers, and a gifted facilitator who helps everyone from toddlers to seniors create beautiful, healthy meals. She runs KICS Lemonade and Terra Roots. We appreciate you, Karen!

Thank You Funders!

We are deeply grateful for all of our funding partners who help keep Access Youth moving forward.

  • CKNW Kids’ Fund – $25,000
    • Thank you CKNW for your continued support for Youth Empowerment Worker / Family Strengthening!
  • TELUS Friendly Future Grant – $17,000
    • We are very grateful to receive this funding from TELUS for Youth Empowerment Worker / Family Strengthening!
  • AMES Family Foundation – $10,000
    • Thank you to longtime supporters AMES Family Foundation for your annual gift!
  • Amanda Todd Memorial Fund – $10,000
    • Thank you for your generous contribution to Youth Empowerment Worker / Family Strengthening!
  • Coquitlam Firefighters Charitable Society – $5,000
    • Thank you to Coquitlam Firefighters for supporting our programs!
  • McDonald’s – $1,000
    • Thank you McDonald’s for your generous gift for our programs!
  • Beem Credit Union – Port Coquitlam – $500
    • Thank you Yvan and the branch for your gift!
  • Tri-Cities Community Foundations (PoCo, Port Moody Coquitlam) – $300
    • Thank you to everyone who spun the Spin Wheel t the TC Chamber Business Showcase!
  • Fresh Prep
    • Community members can still save $80 across 3 meal kit orders using promo code FPCOMMUNITY80.
  • We thank SHARE for donating a new wagon, GForce for donating personal hygiene products, St. John’s the Apostle for donating hoodies, and the Coquitlam Legion – 263 for donating toques and shirts.

Thank you funding partners!