With the Estevan Public Youth Centre opening their doors once again, the non-profit has found itself a new leader. Merissa Scarlett has been appointed the new executive director of EPYC.  

“It felt good. It felt like the right fit for me at this time in my life and in my career. [It’s] a little nerve-wracking because I do care and I want to see it be successful. I have a great board from what I've been learning and I think it's going to be an exciting adventure,” Scarlett said.  

The position isn’t new for her. She's currently a part of the Estevan Early Years Family Resources Centre board. She hopes to merge her sales background and her non-profit experience to bring new ideas to the youth centre.  

“I have a really unique background. I've been in the non-profit world. I've seen a lot of the challenges of being in a nonprofit. I also have a private background where I've done some sales. So, I can put them together and do a bit of fundraising that sponsorship. I've also seen staff, I've worked with youth for a little bit in the past, and I've done programming. So, I've come up with ideas and seen success.” 

“I could not be more excited about the future and for the youth in this community. I've really had sort of a passion in the last year looking at some of the ways that the youth in our community really need us. They need the resources they need the programming, they need that safe space,” said EPYC Treasurer and acting Chair Michelle Walsh.  

Passing the torch to the new director, Walsh recalled how Scarlett was chosen for the role. 

“We created a roundtable to get a year's worth of programming going in our community with some great active community members. Marissa happened to be in the room that day and she just lit a fire that kind of rolled into ‘Oh my goodness, this is the right person for this position!’. Her passion and dedication [in the past] two days and even prior to her start date, she's been all hands-on-deck. I believe that we've definitely chosen a great leader. She's already actively involved with other community agencies, and I think we're just really going to see that grow.”  

As part of her new role, Scarlett looking into bolstering fundraising efforts and volunteer support for the charity. She also has some ideas for what she’ll bring into the centre as far as programming.  

“I really want to do some career focus. 12 to 18, you're looking at what you want to do with the rest of your life, or even for that summer. So, I think connecting with community partners to be like ‘I want to bring in a welder. What does a welder do?’ or ‘what does somebody who works at the bank do’ and just show you that there's so many different avenues to do things in your life and it's exciting.”  

For now, the youth centre is gearing up for an upcoming corn-hole competition they are hosting as a fundraiser. Scarlett is excited about the new role and welcomes any ideas from the community.  

“I will be out and about meeting people. Any ideas are welcome. I am an open book right now, so I'm open to maybe wacky ideas or things you've just been like, ‘you know, the youth really need in this community?’ Then, give me a call and we can talk about it.”