President's Commentary

Слава Ісусу Христу!

One of life’s many small pleasures is to enjoy new and/or different venues. This morning, Danylo phoned to remind me of some commitments, adding that another raging snow storm had hit Saskatchewan. (He also emphatically stated he didn’t want to know what the weather was like in Vegas!)

Change in physical environment is nothing more than relocating a few thousand kilometres. But to initiate change is often the most difficult step, and even more difficult is to initiate and cause attitudinal or lifestyle change. This, in a major oversimplification, is the very essence of the Youth Action Now program. It is our hope, desire and expectation that YAN will indeed cause our young people of Saskatchewan to re-evaluate, and re-consider their presence, their contribution and their destiny in Saskatchewan. Just as important, throughout the YAN project, it is our collective wish and desire that all those “adults” in positions of influence and power, will take time to listen, learn and respond.

For this, the YAN project, we are all indebted to Heritage Canada for their investment in Saskatchewan’s future—our youth.

On the eve of the official launch of YAN, it is appropriate to reflect upon the origin of YAN. For many years, “Youth” has been a general Saskatchewan concern. UCC-SPC, recognizing this concern, began a deliberate program of involvement a few years back. Successes were recognized and in the fall of 2002 SaskCulture Convention, UCC-SPC was invited for an explanatory presentation. Immediately following, UCC-SPC began an aggressive search for funds to expand the Youth Development program. That was when Heritage Canada became involved. UCC-SPC partnered with the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan so as to involve all youth in Saskatchewan, and thus evolved YAN.

With the approach of the Great Lent, most of us take time to reflect, to pray, and to give thanks for the many things we enjoy and cherish. On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, a sincere and prayerful Easter to all.

Христос Воскрес! Воістину Воскрес!

Eugene Krenosky
Mid February, Las Vegas, USA