FCSS offers Young Birds Learning

Posted on October 1, 2026 by Vauxhall Advance

By Heather Cameron
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

One of the groups that Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) offers is Young Birds Learning.

Petra DeBow, manager at Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and South-Central Family Resources Network Hub, said that Young Birds Learning is a youth group offered through South Central Family Resource Network funding held by Barons-Eureka-Warner FCSS.

The group, DeBow noted, meets at the Raymond FCSS office on Mondays from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at the Coaldale FCSS office on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m., and at the Taber FCSS office on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Young Birds Learning, DeBow says, is a South Central Family Resource Network (FRN) initiative funded through the Ministry of Children and Family Services, and that funding allows FCSS to provide culturally responsive programming, activities, and supports while keeping the group accessible to youth and families.

“Young Birds Learning provides youth with a safe and welcoming place to spend time together, build positive relationships, learn new skills, and participate in activities,” said DeBow. “The group combines civic engagement, social connection, Indigenous cultural learning and ways of knowing, and activities that support youth well-being.”

The group, DeBow added, is open to youths ages 12 to 16 in Taber, Raymond, and Coaldale, and there is no cost to participate.

“We want the program to be accessible and welcoming to youth from a variety of backgrounds,” explained DeBow. 

DeBow also said that the group was actually created because FCSS recognized that youth needed to have a safe and supportive place where they could connect with others and feel a sense of belonging. 

“We want them to develop positive relationships, increase their confidence, learn healthy coping, and communication skills, and know that there are supportive adults and community resources available to them,” said DeBow. “We also want youth to have opportunities to try new things, have fun, and contribute their own ideas. Rather than simply planning a program for youth, we want young people to have a voice in what happens within the group.”

The original idea, DeBow explained, actually developed through conversations about how FCSS could better support youth in the Taber community, and local youth also played an important role in shaping the program, including choosing the name Young Birds Learning, which helped give them some ownership of the group and its identity, and creating the group’s logo.

“Adolescence can be a challenging time, and having positive connections with peers and supportive adults can be valuable,” said DeBow. “The group also gives FCSS an opportunity to provide prevention and early-intervention programming in an informal environment. Our experience over the past two years has shown us that there is a place for this type of youth programming in the community. We hope the community continues to see the value of providing young people with positive, safe spaces where they can develop connections and participate in meaningful activities.

Community partnerships are also important because supporting youth is not something that one organization can do alone. When community organizations, families, schools, and other supports work together, we can provide stronger opportunities for young people. Youth do not always need highly structured programming. Sometimes they need a safe place where they know they are welcome, where someone will listen to them, and where they can simply spend time with other young people. I think Young Birds Learning provides an opportunity for that, while also connecting youth with activities, information, and supports that can benefit them. I am proud of how the group has developed over the past two years. One of the things I value most is seeing youth become comfortable enough to participate, share their ideas, and build relationships with one another.”

The activities done by the group, DeBow further explained, vary depending on the interests and needs of the youth, are flexible according to needs, and involve socializing time, opportunities for civil engagement, games, creative and cultural activities, guest speakers, and discussions around topics that are relevant to young people and promote well-being.

“One of the most important things we have learned is that youth programming works best when we listen to youth,” said DeBow. “Their interests and needs should help guide the direction of the program. Young Birds Learning has evolved since it began two years ago, and I expect it will continue to evolve as we listen to the young people who participate. Ultimately, we want youth to know that they matter, that they have a place in their community, and that there are people and organizations available to support them.”

For more information about resources offered by FCSS or the South Central Family Resource Network (FRN), visit: https://fcss.ca/ or https://fcss.ca/family-resource-network-frn/.

“I would encourage youth who are interested to come and give the group a try,” said DeBow. “They do not have to know anyone beforehand or have any special skills or experience. The goal is to  provide a welcoming environment where youth can participate at their own comfort level, meet other young people, and hopefully find something they enjoy. Ultimately, we want youth to know that they matter, that they have a place in their community, and that there are people and organizations available to support them.”