About Us
The Heartland Youth Center is a non-profit, charitable organization made up of the BGC Stettler & District and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Stettler. Annually we offer over 20 programs to approximately 325 youth ages 6 – 18 years old in the Stettler and surrounding areas.
Our Mission
Together under one Board of Directors, the Heartland Youth Center endeavors to develop and nurture the life skills of youth through community based programming with the support of families and volunteers.
The Heartland Youth Center strives to provide youth the opportunity to participate in quality programs which focus on developing social, recreational, educational, and personal skills through positive learning experiences at the Club and in the community.
Board of Directors
The Heartland Youth Center is overseen by a Board of Directors. Board members are citizens of the Stettler and area community who believe in the purpose of the HYC and have a skill set which is relevant to the needs of the board.
The Board of Directors meet approximately 10 times per year to discuss strategic initiatives, program outcomes, financial management, policies, and procedures.
Interested in joining the Board?

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Amanda Nelson
Kim Weaver
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
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Ruby MacDonell
Tanya Derr
Treasurer
Secretary
Director
Cherisse Cassidy

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Curtis Halverson
Director
Dave Wood
Sarah Verhoeven
Director
Director

Sherry Marshall
Director




Our History
In January of 1983, a group of concerned community members felt there was a need for a program such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Stettler. Under the guidance of Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), a needs assessment was completed. The steering committee proceeded to research the
community to determine numbers of children who may use the program. They also educated the community to create awareness of the need and of the potential benefits of a Big Brothers and Big Sisters program. In June of 1984, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Stettler and District became an incorporated society.
As in many Big Brother and Big Sister agencies nationwide, the Stettler program encountered an ever-increasing number of children waiting to be matched with an adult volunteer. The Board was concerned about the growing number of unmatched children and explored ways of meeting the needs of the children on the waiting list. After an extensive needs assessment, the Board decided that the philosophy and program objectives of the Boys and Girls Club would best meet the needs of the children on the waiting list as well as other children in the community. In May 1988, a Boys and Girls Club Director was hired and programming began.
In 1993, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program and the Boys and Girls Club decided to combine their efforts and form an umbrella organization which is called the Heartland Youth Center. The Heartland Youth Center operates with one Board of Directors; however, affiliations with the two national organizations still exist and maintain their distinctive identities.
Our Staff

Winnie Bissett
Executive Director

Sara Wengryn
Program Director

Christel Shuckburgh
Kelsey Wright
Mentoring Coordinator
Creating Connections Coordinator
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Melanie Koch
Katie Wengryn
Pat Wood
Erin Ross-Lenz
Program Coordinator
Program Leader
Program Leader
Program Leader

Kristin Forseth
Hannah Kneeland
Program Leader
Program Leader

Shallyn Andersen
RAD Summer Coordinator

Sydney Shirreff
Summer Wellness Worker

Reagan Robbins
Youth Summer Coordinator
Sponsors
Landlords of the Month
January: Rotary Club of Stettler
February: Canalta Hotels
March: Gary Moe Chevrolet Buick GMC
April: Gitzel & Company Professional Chartered Accountants
May: Keith's Refrigeration
June: Stettler Veterinary Clinic
July: Wells Furniture
August: JT Autobody
September: Bond-O Communications
October: The Mortgage Centre - Tana Nixon
November: Ampko Electric (2006) Inc.
December: WTS Manufacturing
Major Supporters
Auto Trust
BGC Canada
Canadian Natural Resource Limited
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Foundation
Ember Resources
InterPipeline
Jays Care Foundation
J.T. Autobody
Kid Sport Stettler
Kinette Club of Stettler
President's Choice Children's Charity Foundation
Rahr Melting Canada Ltd.
Rotary Club of Stettler
Soulfire Beauty Salon & Spa
Stettler Car Club
Superfluity
TC Energy
TD Canada Trust
Town of Stettler
Trottier Family Foundation
Troubled Monk Brewery
United Way of Central Alberta
Get
Involved
There are many ways you can make a difference in a child's future. Your financial support helps us to continue to serve the many children, youth, and families that use our programs.
Tax-deductible receipts can be issued for all eligible donations.
Click below to find out how you can get involved: