The Connection Point kicks off

BELLEVILLE – Longtime friends Edward Luck and Bill Seguire of Warkworth, ON attended the kickoff of the Connection Point on Tuesday afternoon.Photo by Catherine Coleman

By Catherine Coleman

Edward Luck just wants to help those in need.

The 77 year old was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. He says he wants to spend the rest of his years giving back.

“I couldn’t think of a better thing to do,” he said. Luck was in attendance Tuesday afternoon to pledge his support at the kickoff of the John Howard Society of Belleville’s Connection Point youth programs.

The Connection Point is a program that offers arts and athletic classes. These are low-cost, skill-based programs designed to educate youth and give them skills to help later in life, said the society’s executive director Debbie Woods.

“A lot of the programs and things that we do are cognitive behavior programs. If you change what you’re thinking, you can change what happens to you,” said Woods.

The Connection Point also offers opportunities for entrepreneurs. Instructors can apply to run a class to earn money, said Woods. Some of the revenue the classes earn goes to the John Howard Society for use of the building and the instructors keep the rest.

There are six classes. The programs include: To The Beat Music Program, Art Flavours by Larissa, No Limits Hip Hop Dance Company, No Limits Youth Running Club, Inside Edge Power-Skating, and the Quinte Bay Boxing Club.

Woods relies on people like Luck, who is looking to volunteer for the boxing program. Luck boxed many years ago so he is very enthusiastic to help out.

“If I’m going to die, I’d like to die helping people,” said Luck.

The program sessions and fees vary. For more information, click here.