Linda Coe-Kirkham, executive director of Concern for Youth, left, and board chair Jennifer Schmidt hold a $4,750 cheque after winning the top prize at the 100 Women Who Care fundraiser at Blend Riverside in North Battleford on Thursday, Sept. 18, 20225. (Photo: battlefordsNOW staff)

By battlefordsNOW staff

GIVING BACK

Concern For Youth earns funding boost at 100 Women Who Care fundraiser

Sep 19, 2025 | 4:20 PM

At 14 years old, Wyatt was couch surfing, asking Concern for Youth for food, a place to charge his phone, and help with laundry. Now he’s on the honour roll and beginning a nursing program in school.

“We are so proud of him,” said Jennifer Schmidt, board chair of Concern for Youth.

“He came and asked us for a job, he contributed back to the kids, and we are so proud of him, because he tootled off to Lethbridge into a nursing program this fall” .

Wyatt’s journey was just one of the stories Schmidt shared Thursday night as Concern for Youth claimed the top prize of $4,750 at the 100 Women Who Care’s fundraiser at Blend Riverside in North Battleford on Thursday.

The annual event pools together donations from roughly 100 women, each contributing $100, with all funds going to the winning charity.

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The mentorship-based organization, founded in 1989, now serves 52 youth through one-on-one or small group mentoring, and about 75 others through regular programming.

From taekwondo to weightlifting, wrestling to cooking lessons, the focus is on steering young people away from crime, poverty, and gang involvement by giving them stability, skills, and a safe place to belong.

Jennifer Schmidt, board chair of Concern for Youth. (photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

Schmidt, who has worked for two decades as a Crown prosecutor, told the audience the organization is trying to reach children before gangs do.

“Most people don’t realize that the average age for recruitment to gangs is nine and 10 years old,” she said.

“Most nine and 10-year-old kids that you know are playing hockey, soccer and baseball. They are not carrying around guns, they are not carrying around knives, and they are not selling drugs. But the kids that we are targeting are being targeted by people who want them to do that”

Read more – ‘We can’t work in silos’: First annual Gang Prevention Symposium inspires youth to build a better community

The organization also shared the story of Mark, who arrived at age 12 with poor hygiene, frequent suspensions, and a sister involved in gangs.

With mentorship, he began setting simple goals, like arriving at school on time three days a week. Today, he trains twice a week in the program’s weightlifting classes and hopes to compete at the Saskatchewan Winter Games in 2026 .

(photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

Event organizer Samantha Weber said evenings like this remind people of the quiet impact local charities have.

“It’s such a beautiful evening,” she said.

“It just really shows how much these organizations do in our community, and how much they impact individuals in our community. So, it’s nice to learn about the initiatives that we don’t know about, and then just have a chance to hear from them and give back… it’s just so inspiring.”

Other presenters included the Battlefords Trade and Education Centre and the Northwest Historical Society. Anyone interested in attending the 100 Women Who Care event next year or joining their group can reach out to them on Facebook – 100 Women The Battlefords.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com