Altona-area teenagers will soon have a safe place to build and create using the latest technology.

A Maker Space is the formal name for a place where people can make things, and one is being developed at Youth for Christ/The station. It will be outfitted with 3D printers, laser engravers, vinyl plotters and more. It's all thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Altona Community Foundation (ACF), with support from the RBC Foundation through the RBC Future Launch Community Challenge.

"We're thrilled, obviously," said Sheridan Sawatzky, Executive Director for YFC/The Station. "To have any investment into what we're doing, especially something we're trying to get off the ground, is huge...it will enable us to get quality equipment, so we can actually show these kids these new skills on proper equipment."

While the Maker Space is intended to address several needs in the community, Sawatzky adds the ultimate goal is to teach young people new skills that could give them a new artistic outlet, or job skill.

"We have a lot of kids that (whether) financially, economically or because of their family background don't have exposure to this type of stuff, and a lot of the kids in our community, even from great households, I think they're losing their sense of purpose," explained Sawatzky. "But you know, these kids find one thing they feel good at, they feel accomplished in, it's just huge how it opens up the door not just to a career or a job, but it's what they're passionate about, and I think through that you're able to reach them in a more deeper, meaningful way."

He is hopeful this installment of cash will open the doors to more funding opportunities, noting the local business community has expressed interest in supporting the Maker Space project as well.

Hosted by Community Foundations of Canada and participating community foundations, the RBC Future Launch Community Challenge was made possible thanks to a $5 million dollar donation from the RBC Foundation.

The local application process began earlier this year when ACF was approved for participation in the campaign. After a submission period, the Board of Directors for ACF reviewed the applications and recommended to Community Foundations of Canada which worthwhile project should get the support. In fact, YFC/The Station was granted the maximum amount through this initiative.

"We are thrilled to provide this grant to Altona YFC, and are grateful the RBC Foundation, through the Future Launch Community Challenge, has provided us this opportunity," added ACF President Chris Sumner.

According to Sumner, the ACF Board of Directors feels this Maker Space will help prepare youth for that next generation workforce.

"There's a lot of talk out there indicating that some of the jobs we all take for granted today may simply not exist fifteen, twenty, thirty years from now. So we need to be taking the opportunity today to be training our youth, so they can be effective in the workforce, find jobs they find rewarding and meaningful."

He adds it is the Maker Space at YFC/The Station that brings it all together.

"(It's) an opportunity for youth who may not necessarily have the opportunity to learn these skills anywhere else, well they can learn them here - hands-on, at their own pace, in a safe environment and working with state-of-the-art equipment," he noted.

The RBC Future Launch Community Challenge is part of RBC Future Launch, a commitment by RBC and the RBC Foundation to empower Canadian youth for the jobs of tomorrow.

Curtis Sanjenko is the Community Manager for RBC'S Pembina Valley market.

"What stood out to us was the fact it was really in-line with many of the things RBC would promote as part of the Future Launch initiative like skill development, seeking those practical trade-based activities that will prepare youth for tomorrow which are maybe a bit non-traditional from what we've seen in past years," he said. "This particular group, clearly they're going to put the money to use in things that will get students and youth hands-on (experience), and something they can take forward with them in future endeavours and in possibly their own learning."

While the winning projects weren't selected by RBC, Sanjenko notes the community-based approach to YFC/The Station's Maker Space project also caught their attention. "The fact that...it isn't going to be a selective few people that will take advantage of it, but really The Station being open to all the youth of Altona and surrounding area."

Over the next 10 years, RBC Future Launch is dedicating $500 million to help young people access meaningful employment through practical work experience, skills development opportunities, networking solutions and mental well-being supports and services.