Lindsay Ness is assisted by MFRC Summer Youth Worker Alli Wagner in putting the new tools to the test in building a flying wooden toucan, at the Fix-It-Fair on Aug. 26. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo StagMedia)

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media

Military youth associated with the CFB Shilo Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) were hammering away at the new tool time program on Aug. 26, thanks to the Municipality of Cornwallis providing a $2,000 grant for hand tools.

The youth ran a fix-it fair on Wednesday morning, learning new skills and mending items that needed some TLC, with sever participants getting drilled in the use of tools.

Executive Director of the MFRC, Rob Lavin, said the organization saw a need to run some back-to-basics programming. While many youth learn technical and modern-age digital skills, there is a need to learn everyday skills with drills, tape measures, saws, screw drivers, etc., to prepare for more hands-on requirements.

Lavin said the grant from RM of Cornwallis allowed the purchase of five complete tool kits for the youth programs, which will also aid the recently developed partnership with the Friends of the Bluebirds Society. Youth will be able to repair and build bird habitats while encouraging the continuation of the birding affiliation.

The first tool-time event took place in the renovated space developed for the growing number of participants and programs in the new, now known as ‘Youth Center T99,’ previously St. Barbara’s Chapel.

“We are looking for more intergenerational opportunities for the youth and seniors to interact,” Lavin said. “We want to offer more family-oriented programs. So, at this point, we are gauging interest and taking suggestions from the community.”

“We are really excited for this new project. It creates such significant value back to the community. We thank the RM of Cornwallis for the ability to do this,” Lavin said.

Harper Bzdyl constructs a wooden mobile toucan with new tools at the MFRC Youth Fix-It-Fair on Aug. 26. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo StagMedia)

Emmett Bzdyl constructs a wooden mobile toucan with new tools at the MFRC Youth Fix-It-Fair on Aug. 26. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo StagMedia)