Youth Inclusive appoints new Director

and Youth Worker

Drew Kuzma has just arrived in Inverness to take up the post of Director for Youth Inclusive, he comes from Ledbridge in Alberta and once his wife Margie has sold the family home she and their two children will be joining Drew in Inverness.

 Drew has considerable experience of Christian youth work and was also pastor to a church in Canada for several years.

He and Margie had been praying about their future and felt that they should come to Scotland, and Inverness in particular, so it was literally a 'heaven sent opportunity' when they heard a bout the post with Youth Inclusive.

Brian Irvine known to many for his life spent as a professional footballer with 9 Scottish Caps and a famous winning penalty for Aberdeen in the 1990 Scottish Cup Final, has been helping Youth Inclusive since last March and has accepted the full time post of Youth Worker.

David Martin, the chairman of Youth Inclusive remarks: "The Board of Youth Inclusive are delighted to have such a strong Christian team leading YI."

David went on to say: "Thanks to Lottery Funding and Church of Scotland Parish Development Fund funding along with other funders YI can now continue to operate in Hilton and expand in the New Year into Crown area where we have the backing of local churches. Drew and Brian will be keen to meet others working in Youth Work in Inverness and the Highlands as our title states we are Inclusive"

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Youth Inclusive was formed in 2000 by the Churches in Inverness coming together and seeking a way to engage with young people to form a bridge between them and the community.

The Letterhead is the suspension bridge so familiar to those who know Inverness as it connects one side to another!

After initial finding from the Church of Scotland, other funders came on board and BBC Children in Need, Lloyds TSB, and others.
Youth Inclusive has run activity programmes for young people in Hilton over the summer holidays and winter week-ends. There have been art events and an Arts Council funded music project to develop five rock bands which ended in March 2007 but the bands still continue!

With no building to our name the staff of 'street workers' go out and meet up with young people in the parks and streets, listening to their needs and issues and inviting them to join in on a Friday Drop In at Hilton Community Centre.

There is currently (November 2007) a small photographic exhibition at the City Museum which was organised by Youth Inclusive staff member Clair Richardson.

The Youth Inclusive AGM is in the Old High Church Hall, School Lane Inverness on -