Novelis, the world’s premier producer of rolled aluminum and the global leader in aluminum recycling, will be making a difference in our region, as part of the company’s global Novelis volunteer month projects. Novelis provides large-scale volunteer projects in all major locations.

Since 2012, Novelis employees have worked with United Way KFL&A to undertake a wide variety of projects during their annual Novelis Neighbour Week. This year, Novelis volunteers will renovate and install a new kitchen at the new L&A County Hub in Napanee, Ontario. The two-level space at the Memorial Building is being transformed into a multi-service hub for youth in Lennox and Addington County.

The L&A County Youth Hub is part of United Way’s broader strategy to work with local partners and youth on addressing the issue of rural and urban youth at risk. The Youth Hub will deliver accessible services and supports for youth through coordinated intake, referrals at a single-site location in L&A County.  “We are thrilled to support the new Youth Hub in Napanee,” says Bhavana Varma, President and CEO of United Way of KFL&A.  “This will offer youth in L&A a low-barrier space to meet with their peers, mentors and trained counsellors. We are very excited to work with the Novelis Neighbour project again this year.”

A kitchen at the Youth Hub will provide agencies the ability to offer meal preparation as part of their programming. Youth will develop cooking skills, engage in teamwork and learn about nutrition.

There are currently 15 partner organizations that will provide a wide variety of programming at the L&A County Youth Hub, from 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday. This will give youth an opportunity to easily access multiple service agencies in one location, through a community approach to wraparound care.

“Novelis takes great pride in being a good neighbor and giving back to the communities in which we work and raise our families.  We are excited about the opportunity to bring our employee team together to make a difference in our community,” says Kayla Kent, Novelis employee and champion of this year’s Novelis Neighbour project. “Knowing the work we do will make a difference in the lives of youth in the months and years to come is a wonderful feeling.  We appreciate the partnership with the United Way that enables us to link with community agencies”

The project starts on Monday, November 12th and will continue all week with volunteers on-site daily from 9am through till 4pm.