New faith-based Timber Bay program launches in Hayward to mentor at‑risk youth; open house announced

Dave Dixon, a local representative of the Timber Bay faith-based ministry, told the CJCC he has launched a Timber Bay chapter in Hayward to mentor at-risk youth with outdoor adventures and ongoing mentorship. "People refer at risk kids to Timber Bay to us and we take those kids, we meet with their parents, get them permissions to take them on outdoor adventure type of activities, develop a relationship with them, mentor them and help them thrive and overcome the at risk things that they have," Dixon said.

Dixon said the program will use donated space (the former House of Hope building) as a youth hub called The Harbor; planned activities include weekly after-school gatherings, community-service projects and monthly Boundary Waters trips. He said volunteers and donors had already covered nine months of the 12-month budget and that organizers are seeking transportation (a van), outdoor equipment (snowshoes, skis) and help converting a garage into program space.

Dixon invited council members to an open house in late April and said the group will distribute a weekly newsletter with schedules and referral information. He characterized the program as faith-based, volunteer-driven, and available to community partners for referrals of middle- and high-school students.