Sint-Lievens-Houtem – The Reflex youth centre in Sint-Lievens-Houtem, under Chairman Jaron Verbraekel, is set to close and has cancelled its annual Youth Festival due to a shortage of volunteers. Alderman Arno Ponnet is calling for youth support to sustain the centre’s programs, reports 24brussels.
The Reflex youth centre, located in the province of East Flanders, Belgium, will not hold its Youth Festival this year, an event that typically marks the beginning of the school year and draws teenagers and young adults for music, games, and various community activities.
Chairman Jaron Verbraekel cited a lack of volunteers as the primary reason for the cancellation. “With the team we have now, we are just managing to keep our regular Friday evening programs running,” he said.
“Organising a large event like the Youth Festival is not possible.”
Reasons for the Cancellation of the Festival
The volunteer shortage is not only impacting the festival but also the centre’s weekly activities. The centre is actively seeking help from local residents and supporters. Alderman Arno Ponnet (Nieuw Houter) warns that the situation is critical.
“If no new, committed young people emerge, not only is the Youth Festival at risk of disappearing, but the youth centre itself might have to close its doors. We can’t let that happen,”
He emphasized that the involvement of enthusiastic youth is essential for the centre’s survival.
“We’re also going to put our heads together as a municipal council to see what we can do,”
He added that the opportunity to help organise events can be a valuable learning experience and a chance to make lifelong friends, highlighting the urgency for a new generation of volunteers. “We really need a new generation,” he stated.
The Reflex Youth Festival has been a staple in Sint-Lievens-Houtem for over 25 years, originating in the mid-1990s as a small gathering for local adolescents. It included music, games, and other activities, evolving into a significant event for youth and young adults in the area.
In 2005, workshops and performances were introduced, followed by expanded outdoor activities in 2010, and a volunteer program began in 2015 to engage more youth in the event’s organisation.
