Category Archives: Uncategorized

By: Lauren Pringle   In September of 2019, when I was just beginning 8th grade, I heard of a new youth program that was coming to Ancaster, called The Net Youth Empowerment Program. My sister had joined as a founding member, a month or two earlier, and as a volunteer performer for ACS events likeContinue reading “My Years With The Net”

By: James Marte It has been an interesting journey to say the least. I came into high school thinking it was going to be like every other year. Something you complete to move onto the next chapter of life. But that took a turn and made my journey much more interesting then I could haveContinue reading “My Highschool Experience”

By: Mercel Bautista I can’t believe that my internship at The Net has come to an end so quickly! From January to April, there has been so much that this internship has taught me, and so many things that I can take away from this experience. Through the last four months, I was able toContinue reading “Time for Growth and Learning”

By: Leanne Tran As I write this blog post, I’m sitting in my school’s library for a homework and study session; I just completed a linear algebra assignment so with a sigh of relief, I’m taking a break to reflect on my journey through university so far and how my time with The Net hasContinue reading “Tips For The Future”

By: Jocelyn Mattka Ancaster Community Services was an important part of my high school experience. I started volunteering in grade 9, through clubs at my high school, and was involved in a number of different events over the next few years. When COVID-19 hit at the end of my grade 11 year, I was lookingContinue reading “After Graduation”

By: Yassine Bourenane Winter is a wonderful season, but sometimes it can be quite difficult to find something to do with friends, especially with the pandemic. That’s why the recent event by The Net was an amazing adventure. In January, The Net joined with the Young Environmental Science Alliance, called the YES Alliance, to haveContinue reading “Winter Wonderland”

By: Mercel Bautista This year, there have been so many challenges that I’m sure everyone had to deal with. There have been so many curve balls that this year has brought, that to me, it did not feel like Christmas. Coming from a very big family, I am so used to big family gatherings whereContinue reading “Christmas At Home”

By: Ella Pierazzo I have been a part of The Net youth group since September of 2020. Throughout this time, I have been able to participate in fun opportunities, learn valuable skills, and meet new people! More importantly, I have been able to volunteer my time to help others throughout the community.   In my opinion, the month of December is all about giving and spreadingContinue reading “The Best Present of All”

By: Valerie Barlow My journey with Ancaster Community Services all started when I was around 8 years old and what a journey it’s been. At the time my mom, Melanie, worked for ACS so I would visit all the time. I remember going with her to deliver meals to seniors for one of their veryContinue reading “The Next Chapter”

By: Yassine Bourenane Last year was supposed to be exciting, as I was in my final year of elementary school. I was looking forward to being in-person and I was particularly interested in being involved within my school community by joining clubs, events, and other activities. Unfortunately, all extracurriculars were cancelled. Fast forward a year,Continue reading “The Unexpected”

By: Sciannell Vellone I began volunteering at The Net in June of 2020. I started out as a volunteer in the youth program where I held the role of Brand Executive. I was able to curate the brand fonts, colours, and aesthetic you see on our social media today. From there, the roles of CommitteeContinue reading “The Beautiful Little Things”

By: Lauren Pringle It is probably safe to say that 2020 and 2021 have been some of the most confusing, and difficult years for the general population, but especially for teenagers. We have missed so many pivotal moments in our lives, and many teens feel more frustrated, and irritable than usual (understandably so).  However, despiteContinue reading “Our Experience with The Net, during COVID 19”

By: Jocelyn Mattka Your teacher ends the Teams call and you stare at a blank screen. Then you shut the laptop and sit alone in a quiet room. You stare out into the silence, wondering how the last four years could have possibly gone by so quickly. You try to decide what you should feel.Continue reading “When the Film Stops Rolling”

By: Stephanie Jean Pierre December of 2020 was when I began to volunteer at The Net. I had a lot of spare time and was worried about how I would start to earn the forty mandatory volunteer hours required to graduate from secondary school. Especially during a pandemic. The first activity I did was packageContinue reading “The Most Memorable Times I Volunteered at The Net”

Welcome to The Net’s official website! The Net is Ancaster’s First Youth Empowerment Program and since it’s launch in 2019, it has developed into a multi-dimensional program that offers unique projects, leadership opportunities, and volunteer activities aimed at engaging youth 13 – 18. We’ve been contemplating for many months about having a website of ourContinue reading “First Blog”