McMan Youth, Family and Community Services’ director of community engagement, Darlene Petrie, and director of client services, Karin Matthiessen, embrace the quiet moments, when the residents of Wellington Place are at school, to discuss the daily issues as risk youth face.
Darlene Petrie has been instrumental in securing funding for Wellington Place, a home for homeless youth, and her interest in helping young people began in childhood. As a 7-year-old, she encountered a teenage runaway.
“I had a friend, who was 16 at that time, and I was living in a convent,” recollects Darlene. “She ran away from home and then was placed in the convent and she kept running away.”
The two girls remained in touch and Darlene discovered her friend had run afoul of the law. The legal troubles ignited a passion within Darlene to work with, what were commonly referred to as the time, as juvenile delinquents.
Darlene began volunteering with McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association while returning to school in her mid-thirties. Donating her time offered Darlene a chance to converse with high risk youth and discuss their troubles, fears and dreams.
Karin Matthiessen says Darlene's drive to help the residents of Wellington Place is inspiring.
“She exudes this passion and commitment to working with the high risk youth population and she's been committed to working on finding funding towards trying to end homelessness for youth,” said Karin.
Karin credits Darlene’s dedication as a major contributing factor to the success of Wellington Place.
“Darlene was instrumental in getting the funding for Wellington Place when we took it over in 2000,” said Karin. “She's worked in many roles throughout the organization but always supporting the youth justice kids and the homeless population.”
For her dedication to making Wellington Place a safe home for at risk youth, Darlene Petrie is this week’s Inspiring Albertan.
With files from CTV’s Darrel Janz
Wellington Place is undergoing renovations as part of CTV’s Operation Renovation.
