Goal was to help youth see possibilities

When Tony Fry and his wife, Catherine, decided to purchase a home in Creemore, the community youth were about to benefit considerably.

Tony brought with him years of experience working with youth and young adults. Little did he know that there were adults in the area concerned about the lack of opportunity and activities for 13- to 16-year-olds.

Tony talked with the families and young people and realized they were highly discouraged and only one third considered post-secondary education and career preparation possible.

Research showed that students did not continue beyond high school for three reasons: parents had not attended post-secondary learning, experiences in secondary schools had for one reason or another not been encouraging, and possibly family funds were modest and limited.

With funding from specific community leaders, Tony decided to introduce a program he had seen used in other neighbourhoods. Calling it “Rent-a- Youth,” every summer weekend day, Tony would pair youth from the community with homeowners who needed assistance with chores. The results were satisfying for both the youth and their clients.

Tony, with others, also opened “RAY’S Place” – a place where students could come together, talk to adults, get tutoring, or seek financial assistance.

What was key was the advice and learning the youths received, even more than the money.

One young man learned to build a deck with assistance from Tony and Rent-a-Youth. Ten years later, he runs his own construction business. He considers Tony, and those assisting him, to have enabled his success. In 2012, Rent-a-Youth became a community organization focused on encouraging local youth to advance to post-secondary education.

Members of the community began to inject money to help the older youths enter apprenticeships, community colleges, and universities. The added value was that each student was paired with a mentor to offer guidance and assistance along the way.

Tony’s goal was always to help young people see their own possibilities and seek to enhance their lives, not letting money stop them.

Those determined to support his work formalized it with a board of directors insurance protection, and campaigns for donations. RAYS became Resources for Area Youth Success.

Tony’s initial vision and plans have now stretched out to include, to date, over 150 local students.

Our community owes a great deal to Tony Fry for his commitment to our local young people and their success.

– Submitted by RAYS.