Safe Communities Northumberland County presented Community Connections Expo 2018 at Northumberland Mall on October 17, 2018.
The event was part of the bridging the gap series of Safe Communities Inspiring Youth, Educating Service Providers and Connecting Families.
Grade 10’s from five high schools in Northumberland County took part in the event.
It was about empowering and educating youth to take control of their lives along with service providers and “nurturing partnerships” to promote working and training together along with community and educating and connecting families with resources and personations geared for parents on issues impacting youth.
The goal is to help youth connect to the services and places that will impact their future. Promote positive mental health and resiliency for our youth and their families. Develop and nurture a community-based approach to problem solving. Connect community service providers to youth and their families.
Keynote speakers include award winning mental health speaker Ross Szabo and Gold Medal Champion Canadian Women’s Hockey, Cheryl Pounder.
There were a number of displays inside and emergency services from across Northumberland County had apparatus on display in the parking lot of Northumberland Mall.
An inspirational story was from 20-year-old Ty Godfrey who is a graffiti artist who runs Godfrey Designs.
At 18-year-old, Godfrey made poor choices with showcasing his talent in Northumberland and Peterborough areas.
“I’ve always had the interest in art and it came out as a different form of art, but I brought it to the wrong places.”
“To me, I didn’t see it as bad as some people might of. I didn’t realize the consequences.”
Getting a good job and realizing the consequences of what he was doing was wrong, “I saw the impact that I actually made and it turned my thoughts around and realized what I was doing was wrong.”
Now Godfrey says he is using his talent the way it should be.
“Things are going great. I ended up turning it around and creating a business out of it called Godfrey Designs.
Godfrey’s mother, Sheila Sevigny said at the worst times it was very difficult.
“He got on the wrong path, but we got him back.”
Sevigny said she feels very blessed to have her son back and couldn’t be prouder of what he has accomplished with his talent.
Godfrey can be reached at godfreydesignsco@gmail.com or 905-375-2073.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
