CANMORE – Canmore’s Young Adult Network hopes to help foster a sense of community for people aged 18 to 35, and to do that the group has gotten organized.
Founded last summer as part of an outreach effort by Ralph Connor Memorial United Church, CYAN has recently become its own not-for-profit organization separate from the church.
“We’re really searching to create advocacy for young adults,” said Tara Koenig, CYAN’s community development facilitator.
Some of the areas the organization intends to focus on include connecting young adults with politicians, providing free and low-cost activities, and helping people access volunteer opportunities.
A survey done in 2017 by CYAN identified opportunities to better provide services for Canmore’s young adults.
“We do know that it’s an underserved population,” said Koenig. “We’re trying to generate more interest in staying in Canmore long term.”
The diversity of interest on the CYAN board has driven many of the different activities the group has put on over the past several months.
CYAN has been holding board game nights on the first Wednesday of the month at Good Earth Café, along with adding a regular pasta dinner by donation on Tuesdays once a month.
The group has also connected with local politicians, hosting a wings night with Banff-Cochrane MLA Cam Westhead and recently letting young adults connect with UCP candidate Mirada Rosin at a What is CYAN night last Wednesday.
“The board is so diverse and, with that diversity, comes our unique sets of talents and interests,” said Koenig.
“It’s definitely different from other not for profits I’ve worked for in the past, just being that people are here because they want to be here.”
Koenig says it’s all about having people who are interested in their community working to make their community better.
For more information on CYAN events, or how to join CYAN, you can see their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/canmorecyan/ or email [email protected].
