A Place to Belong: Allyson's Story

Before becoming the leader of a youth centre, Allyson was a young person who benefited from one.

Growing up in St. Mary’s First Nation, she often found stability and encouragement through a local youth group that met weekly. While home was not always easy, the youth group became a place where she felt safe, accepted, and cared for. What initially drew her there were the friendships, activities, and sense of community, but over time those relationships led her to a deeper understanding of faith and purpose.

At 17, Allyson made a personal commitment to follow Christ. The decision was not always easy, and she often faced questions and misunderstandings from those around her. Yet through mentorship, church involvement, and a growing relationship with God, she began to discover her calling. Years later, while studying chemistry at university and struggling with burnout, she sensed God leading her in a different direction. That journey ultimately brought her through a year-long leadership program and eventually to Thunder Bay.

Today, Allyson is helping create the same kind of environment that once shaped her own life. She understands firsthand the importance of having a safe place to belong, trusted adults who care, and a community that remains present week after week. Her story is a reminder that sometimes the impact of a youth ministry cannot be measured immediately. A young person who once needed support is now leading and investing in the lives of others.

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