Former Town of Chestermere director of community services Patty Sproule has accepted the position of executive director for Synergy in Chestermere. The non-profit organization currently assists youth with development and volunteers services within Chestermere and area.
Sproule spent several years in her role with the town.
She said that a long-term commitment towards Synergy was required.
“It’s that important to me,” Sproule said.
“It’s something that’s very much needed in the community, so I made the big decision to put my time into (Synergy) full time.”
Synergy was launched in 2013 by the community services department of the Town. Sproule was among the members who helped launch the initiative.
“I believe in Synergy a great deal,” Sproule said. “It’s something I wanted to get going for a number of years.”
Synergy is currently being sponsored by the Town of Chestermere. Sproule said that this will remain the case until the end of 2014, when the organization plans to become an independent non-profit organization.
“My goal is for Synergy to be a standalone organization that provides programs and services to youth to develop their leadership long-term.”
There are three programs that are geared towards helping out youth. Kidz (ages seven to nine), SHOUT (ages 10 to 14) and YELL (ages 14 to 18). The programs are done at no cost to the families.
Some of the activities include archery, cooking, sailing, paddle boating and curling.
YELL received the Excellence in Youth Development Award on Dec. 16, 2013 from the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA).
“The whole idea is to catch the kids when their young,” Sproule said.
“Have them start thinking about their future and start thinking who they are, what their passions are and what they want to do going forward.”
The organization also focuses on the development of volunteer services in the Town of Chestermere and area.
Synergy has partnered up with Go Volunteer and Volunteer Alberta to help connect volunteer opportunities to prospective volunteers.
For more information on Synergy and the programs offered, go to www.chestermere.ca
