Dear Editor,
I am writing to bring attention to an issue that is deeply affecting our community in Hanover, Ontario. Recently, the Town of Hanover withdrew funding from the Launch Pad Skills Training & Technology Centre, leading to its immediate closure. This decision has devastating consequences for our youth and the broader community, especially in terms of the loss of a valuable resource for developing technical and trade skills.
I have a letter I’ve written to the mayor and councillors of Hanover below, expressing my concerns and urging them to reconsider their decision. I would greatly appreciate it if you could share this letter on your platforms, so the community can be made aware of this issue.
“Dear Mayor and Councilors:
I am writing to express my profound disappointment with the recent decision to withdraw funding from the Launch Pad Skills Training & Technology Centre. This decision has had devastating consequences, resulting in the immediate closure of an invaluable resource for our youth and the broader community.
The Launch Pad provided young people in Hanover with the opportunity to learn critical trade and technical skills – skills that are in high demand both locally and nationally. By withdrawing funding, the town has effectively eliminated an accessible and supportive environment where youth could acquire and practice these skills. This is especially concerning given that Hanover, like many areas, struggles to attract skilled workers.
I was particularly disheartened to hear the suggestion that youth could simply drive to Owen Sound to access similar programs. This perspective completely overlooks the logistical challenges and financial burden it places on families. Not every household has access to reliable transportation, and many students simply do not have the time or means to make such trips after school. By removing a local solution, the town has made these opportunities inaccessible for many.
What makes this decision even more upsetting is the ripple effect it has had on the organization’s ability to fundraise and sustain itself. When the town withdrew its financial support, it undermined the credibility and stability of the Launch Pad, leaving the board with no choice but to dissolve the program. This outcome could have been avoided with continued municipal backing.
This decision feels like a vote against our youth and against the future of our community. I urge you to reconsider the priorities and values that guided this decision. Investing in our youth is not an optional expense—it is an essential commitment to the long-term success and sustainability of Hanover.
I ask the town to reevaluate decisions like this in the future and explore ways to bring back programs like Launch Pad. Our youth deserve better, and our community deserves leaders who will champion opportunities for growth, education, and development.”
I encourage all residents who share these concerns to attend the upcoming Town of Hanover Council Meeting on Feb. 3, 2025, at 4 p.m. at the Civic Centre, and to write letters to Town Council expressing their disappointment.
Let’s come together to show our leaders that this community values its youth and expects better support for youth skills and trade programs.
Edwin Haas, Hanover
