It is said that the kitchen is the heart of any home.
That is also the case at Barrie's Youth Haven, located on Wellington Street East, which is a temporary home for at-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 24 years old.
The staff and board of directors met Friday afternoon to do a ribbon-cutting on the new kitchen that was renovated over the summer.
There were donations of materials, appliances and labour.
Executive director Lucy Gowers says, "this impressive kitchen would not have happened without the support of friends of Youth Haven and the staff and residents are grateful."
The old kitchen was gutted and replaced with new cupboards, a granite countertop, new lighting and flooring along with a fresh coat of paint.
Handymen Ed Sutphin and Dean Smith donated their time and skills because both enjoy giving back to the community.
Muskoka Chefs president Marcia Budd volunteers at the shelter once a week making meals for the youth, but also teaching them how to cook.
"I help prepare the meals from scratch, but also show the young people how to make a good healthy meal and expand on each meal using fresh ingredients," she said. "It's like night and day being able to work in these new surroundings."
Marcia and her husband, Ian, also donated a new refrigerator.
Gowers explains: "There are always kids here in the kitchen doing homework or crafts or holding counselling sessions. Sometimes difficult discussions are easier to have over coffee or tea. Our goal is to help the youth become successful adults."
It's likely this new kitchen would have cost $14,000 if the facility hadn't received donations and discounts from local companies.
Youth Haven is the only emergency residential shelter for youth in Simcoe County.
