Autumn is the perfect time to connect to each other

The community centers in Hafnarfjörður

Stella B. Kristinsdóttir oversees the professional prevention and leisure activities that are taking place within Hafnarfjörður´s primary schools. She travels widely in her work and works closely with the heads of after-school centres and community centres, the parents’ associations of the schools and the Parents Council of Hafnarfjörður, the sports clubs and all those involved in prevention, education and leisure activities in the municipality.

Stella was among those who sat on the panel of the brainstorming meeting: We are the Village – the future is bright if we all want it, that was held last week in Bæjarbíó. Here on the far right.

Stella recently had an article in Fjarðarfréttir, the town´s newspaper. We chose to publish this article here on the occasion of the open week of the community centers and youth houses 2024, which begun yesterday.

Let’s meet and hang out in the community centers

Autumn is the time to connect. This is the time when we meet up with our friends after a long summer vacation and pick up where we left off. It’s so important to stay in touch with each other, connect and nourish our relationships.

Participation in organized leisure and sports activities is a protective factor in the lives of children and young people. This applies to sports activities, social activities in youth clubs, music studies or participation in the work of community centres. I would like to remind you of the option of enjoying your free time in organized community center activities. We are so lucky that we have so many community centers in Hafnarfjörður! Their role is to offer children and young people aged 10-16 leisure activities that have preventive, pedagogical and educational value and take into account their age and development.

In the work of community centres, staff place great emphasis on creating a unique culture and a safe environment with children and young people. Participation in the organised work of community centres and youth centres with professionals has an important preventive value and increases the likelihood that young people will choose a healthy lifestyle and avoid risky behaviour. It offers entertainment facilities and socializing with peers, mixed with events, large and small. Emphasis is placed on involving children and young people in the work, and the program is diverse and prepared with the young people. Community centers carry out their work both in their local area and then jointly in with Götuvitinn, which is a travelling community center.

Götuvitinn operates after childrens/young peoples outdoor hours, in collaboration with the parents’ associations, but has also entered into collaboration with other municipalities in the greater Reykjavík area. Everyone is welcome to the community center and I encourage relatives to check out the program in their local community center with their child, visit it with them or encourage them to take advantage of it to meet and hang out with their peers. Community centers are open in all schools Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the afternoon and into the evening, also the HHH queer community center is open on Thursdays and “Músík og Mótor” every weekday 17-22.

• Learn more about the work of the community centers
• We are the village (events in Icelandic): The future is bright if we all want it
• The community centers and youth-house week of 2024 will take place from October the 14th to 18th, where parents and custodians are invited to come visit!

Thank you to Stella and all your good people!