Irene Brennan

Irene Brennan, centre, executive director of Youth In Transition at Chrysalis House, and some of the residents of Chrysalis House were out cleaning debris from the banks of the Nashwaak River on Saturday morning.
...
"We are doing it out of an interest in helping keep the river clean," said Irene Brennan, executive director of Youth in Transition, the group that oversees Chrysalis House.
...
Brennan believes the river cleanup plays an important role in achieving that goal.She said the effort has a significant meaning for the girls at Chrysalis House.

"Often the girls that come to our house feel an alienation from the community in which they are living in," Bennan said."Part of our nurturing and teaching is that they are really loved and appreciated in their community and just as the community gives to them, they also have to give back to the community and help.So it gives them a feeling of belonging to the Fredericton area and it gives them a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem."

Brennan said the river cleanup is one of a number of community activities that residents of Chrysalis House take part in.

One 19-year-old girl, who can't be named, said she has a good reason for helping out with the cleanup of the Nashwaak River.

"A lot of people swim in the river and it's not safe because there are spikes and old gas cans," she said.

Another resident of Chrysalis House, who can't be named, said she found everything from a pitchfork to bicycle gears in the river.

"People are putting things into the river that they shouldn't be," she said.

One 16-year-old girl said she didn't understand why more people don't express interest in their environment.She said people should treat the Naskwaak River with respect.

Another girl agreed.

"People really shouldn't be putting things in the water because it's bad for the environment and people like us have to clean it up," she said.

Donna Bennett, left, a youth counsellor with Youth In Transition - Chrysalis House, and Irene Brennan, the executive director of Youth In Transition - Chrysalis House, were thrilled to receive the donation.
...
"I'm so happy," said Irene Brennan, executive director of Youth in Transition - Chrysalis House."It's like getting an early Christmas present."

Brennan had heard that ASAPCO Foods (Strong Farms) in Woodstock had frozen vegetables to donate and contacted the company.
...
He suggested I call the minister of agriculture," said Brennan.

Willing to try anything, she got in touch with the constituency office of David Alward, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
...
A truckload of food was dropped off to Chrysalis House on Friday morning and a second truckload followed on Tuesday, says Brennan.

In total they received just over 1,300 kilograms of frozen squash, turnips and potatoes, she says.They will be sharing this bounty with Meals on Wheels and the Fredericton Community Kitchen.

Because Chrysalis House has limited freezer space, Merv's Catering has offered to store the frozen vegetables.

This whole experience has been wonderful as far as Brennan is concerned.

"Food is one of the biggest items in our budget," she says."This will help cut down on a lot of our food expense for the winter."

Because their budget is so small, many of the activities they'd like to do with the girls who live in Chrysalis House end up at the bottom of the list.

"It's hard to squeak out that money from the budget because we're always so focused on the necessities," says Brennan."(Extras) have to come after we feed, clothe and house them."

This donation will allow them to use their money on enrichment activities for the girls, she says.

"Things you would do with your own teenagers to help develop their talents."

To learn more about donating time or money to Youth in Transition - Chrysalis House, call Brennan at 451-4767 or e-mail yit4767@rogers.com.