Town of Hay River, N.W.T., gives money to youth centre, neighbourhood watch program

The Town of Hay River, N.W.T., is investing in some of its local non-profit organizations. The Hay River Youth Centre and a local neighbourhood watch program will each receive $2,500 to support their initiatives.

The money comes from a $5,000 prize the town received after winning the 2025 Healthy Community Award in March, from the N.W.T. Association of Communities. The award is given to a community dedicated to creating a healthy environment for residents. 

Glenn Smith, senior administrative officer for the Town of Hay River, said both organizations set to receive the funding fall within the mandate of the town's healthy community strategy, a 10-year plan launched late last year.

"It just seems like there's a fit there. So I think the council is hopeful," he said. "You need these volunteer groups to build a healthy community." 

Smith said the neighbourhood watch program strengthens crime enforcement initiatives in the community by bringing an increased level of vigilance that is beyond the ability of officials and law enforcement.

"These community groups provide another set of resources in a different approach," he said. "They're not tied into as much bureaucracy as governments might be."

Smith said the Hay River Youth Centre was another obvious choice for the funding. Creating a space for youth to feel safe, express themselves, and access programming is paramount to providing a healthy environment for youth, he said.

"One of the objectives refers to improving children and youth safety and access to opportunity," Smith said. "So, at a time of need, council was happy to support them."

The Hay River Youth Centre reopened on April 1 after being forced to temporarily closed in March because of a funding shortfall. It's currently operating at limited hours until it can secure more funding for the upcoming year.

"We're at a point where we're just going to apply for as many grants as possible," said Scott Cloutier, the centre's executive director. "We are anticipating, hopefully by June, we'll be able to expand our hours."

Cloutier said the money from the town will help the centre continue to support youth by offering a safe space and tailored programming such as a greenhouse initiative and cooking classes. They have even attended youth conferences through the Students Commission of Canada.

"I think all those things are crucial," he said.

Watch program to install cameras, patrol streets

Hans Wiedemann, a member of the neighbourhood watch group, said the money will help the group strengthen its community surveillance efforts. They hope to strategically place more cameras around the community and expand their camera lending program.

The funding will also help get their patrol vehicle on the road. The vehicle is currently in the shop where a local mechanic is performing repairs by donation.

"It's a community effort," said Wiedemann. "We need more corporate citizens like [the auto shop] that have really stepped up and helped the community."

Wiedemann said the patrol vehicle will be equipped with dash cams, and volunteers, who already use their own vehicles to patrol, will be better equipped to observe and report.

Residents who want to help but lack the ability can still support by registering their own security cameras with crimecapture.ca.

"If there is an incident, the police know that you have a camera and they can access it," Wiedemann said.

One noticeable difference the group has seen since starting the watch program is a drop in trespassing, door-handle checkers, and property crimes. Wiedemann says criminals know they are being watched, and that's made them less brazen in their actions.

Wiedemann said the goal of the neighbourhood watch is to create safer streets for youth, families, and elders. The group welcomes anyone who wants to support their efforts, whether by volunteering or registering their cameras. 

"It's more community, more being out there," he said. "Bike-riding, planting gardens, talking to your neighbour, and helping each other out."