News

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Making Progress
2009-10-30

Youth iCON's Van project has been slowly but surely progressing towards the realization of this dream. A few donation items have come in, and they have been greatly appreciated. Some items we're still looking for are as follows: 

Items Needed

  • Set of RV seats/captain chairs
  • A set of 8 over-the shoulder type 3-point seat belts
  • 120 sqft of laminate flooring
  • About 3-4 3/4" plywood panels (the interconnecting kind if possible)
  • About 6-8 1/4" plywood panels
  • Outside awning (rv-style or backyard style)
  • Quick up tent/pavillon
  • TV/LCD for wallmount 
  • VCR player 
  • Game console (Nintendo, Sony, or anything else) (if possible, with controllers & games)
  • Stereo system or components
  • Sport Equipment (Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Skateboarding, helmets, anything)
  • 12V-120V power inverters (1x 500W, 1x 2000W) and a battery splitter to run electronics equipment off of the vehicle power.
  • We are hoping to give the Van an eye-catching look on the outside! The idea is to create a "Hot Rod" style in red and black two-tone with matching rims and white-wall tires.
    • An appropriate sounding muffler would be appreciated
    • Anything that would contribute to the unique, eye-catching (thus easily recognized) appearance.

If you have any of these items, or anything else you think would be a good addition to the Van, please contact us and we'll be happy to come by and pick it up. If you have any creative ideas or practical talent to lend to the Van, we'd be delighted to make your acquaintance. Drop us a line, and we'll be in touch. 

NOTE: Even though Youth iCON Ministries is a registered Non-Profit Organization, we have not yet received our charity status from the Canadian Revenue Agency. However, tax-deductible receipts for donations can be issued through our supporting partners.

In the News
2009-10-16

Youth iCON is noticed by the Abbotsford News:


On the move for the youth of Abbotsford

webMobileYouthVan-LandsbergerRalf-jvp.jpg
Ralf Landsberger and his wife Corrina formed Youth iCON Ministries, and will turn their van into a mobile youth centre.
John Van Putten


Published: October 16, 2009 4:00 PM 

Ralf and Corinna Landsberger have always had a heart for helping young people.

Now, they want to take their support on the road.

The Abbotsford couple, who formed Youth iCON Ministries in March, want to turn their 1989 Grumman Olson step van into a “mobile youth centre.”

The idea is to equip the van with sports equipment, video games, a TV and the like, and travel to neighbourhoods where youth congregate.

Ralf said this would provide a positive environment for kids who might not know about existing youth programs or have a way to get there.

“It could show them there are other ways to live their lives. You don’t have to walk around destroying things,” he said.

Ralf said he and Corinna, who have three kids of their own (ages 7, 9 and 12), would also be able to serve as responsible role models who can offer the youths mentorship, as well as referrals to other community resources they might need.

The mobile youth centre is similar to previous programs that have existed in Abbotsford, but there hasn’t been one in operation for a few years.

Ralf, who does property maintenance, said he and Corinna, a farm manager, hope to work in partnership with other youth agencies in the community.

“We can only cover so much ground by ourselves ... but if we work together, we can multiply (what can be done).”

The couple have worked with youth organizations – mainly sports-related – for about 20 years, starting in their homeland of Germany. Since moving to Canada 10 years ago, they have continued this involvement, including running a job and life skills program for youths and adults with developmental disabilities.

Ralf said the couple have always enjoyed this type of work.

“We just have, hopefully, good common sense and are blessed to be able to connect with youth,” Ralf said.

He said other plans for Youth iCON include connecting with young people in prison, and offering a job and life skills program for all youth.

“The idea is to get the kids off the streets and give them something that has meaning in their life ... to become a responsible member of society.”

Donations of items for the mobile youth centre are welcome. These include a set of van or RV seats, plywood panels, a couch and/or loveseat, a stereo system, a video game console, video games, and sports equipment.

The Start of a Dream
2009-0-20

When given the choice between disposing of his previous workshop van or utilizing it for something else, Ralf Landsberger came across the idea of a mobile youth centre, a concept being used in a number of cities in the US and elsewehere. He was intrigued by the idea of going where the youth is, rather than expecting them to follow the call to the church, especially for those who never had the chance to hear the Gospel or about Jesus Christ.
Later on in the process Ralf Landsberger learned about other similar projects in the community gone stale; that of taking a utility van or even a doubledecker bus and turning it into a mobile youth drop-in centre. The seed was planted, and it seemed only a matter of time.