“We want to create a community culture that enables everyone to reach their potential,” explains the Prince Edward Learning Centre’s Codie Goodman. “Working together, we are Greater Than the sum of our parts.”

The canteen project is a result of two of Greater Than’s recent projects, which focused on food insecurity and substance use. Surveys indicated a lack of sober public spaces where young people could be social without being intoxicated or spending a lot of money.

Many youth in PEC also report food insecurity: skipping meals, being unable to afford food, relying on food banks and school meal programs, or turning to fast food because it’s cheap.

The Canteen will offer an indoor programming space to hang out, with crafts, mindfulness activities, and mental health resources. It is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10-4pm, with occasional evening hours.

Until now, Greater Than operated exclusively out of the PELC, their close partners and sponsors.

The canteen also offers healthy foods such as smoothies, veggies and dip, fresh fruit, and popcorn. The most expensive menu item is $3. If that is still not accessible, the municipality is contributing funds to provide menu items for free.

Greater Than has been operating the space since early July. “We’ve got a good group of kids that come pretty much every day. And a good handful maybe don’t have food at home, or don’t have parents around all the time. They know they can come, you know, grab a smoothie and some cucumbers. They know we always have food when we’re here,” says Ms. Goodman.

“Just the other day one of the kids saw Thomas on his day off downtown, and they were like, ‘why aren’t you at the skate park?’ It’s established that there are safe adults around if you need help.”

“It’s been brilliant — just lots of good partnerships, pulling all of our youth organizations together, to kind of bounce off each other.” 

Come on down to the skate park if you want to hang out — and help out.