YORKTON — Artists and community members gathered in downtown Yorkton June 14 for the Artists for a Cause Street Fair.
The fair served as fundraiser for a grassroots initiative aimed at raising awareness about addiction and supporting youth in need.
“This is Artists for a Cause Street Fair,” said organizer Chrystal Parkins, standing among booths and live music at the intersection of Broadway Street West and Ontario Avenue.
“We're raising awareness of the effect of addictions on our community and our children and we're trying to do something about it—we're trying to make a difference," said Parkins.
The event served as a fundraiser for Union Art Collective, a non-profit founded by Chrystal and her husband, Shawn. Based in Balcarres, the collective’s mission is to remove barriers and provide equal opportunities for all, regardless of background.
“My husband and I started a non-profit organization called Union Art Collective. Our mission is to remove boundaries and barriers and allow everyone to have the same opportunities no matter their circumstances,” said Parkins.
Programs in development include life skills classes and art therapy, with a focus on reaching youth at risk.
“We want to provide life skill classes and art therapy classes—an alternative to addictions and an opportunity to break generational cycles of addictions,” said Parkins, adding, “we're raising money to have those classes to provide those programs for kids—for youth at risk.”
Though youth are the primary focus, Parkins emphasized the programs are open to all. The collective also plans to donate a portion of funds raised to Yorkton’s transitional group home.
“We do just want to make a difference and we want to make it better,” said Parkins, “we're really excited about this event.”
Visitors at the fair were treated to food, games, prizes, guest speakers, and a dunk tank. Ten vendors participated, including File Hills Qu’Appelle Health Services and a booth providing Naloxone training. Later in the day, Dr. Rose Backman was scheduled to speak on modern medicine.
Chrystal said the community has shown strong support, including contributing prizes for the axe throwing contests. She noted that many attendees came forward to share their sobriety journeys.
“So far today we've had people coming and telling their survival stories and their stories of sobriety—how they've stayed sober—it's been really incredible," said Parkins.
Shawn Parkins echoed his wife’s sentiment, calling for change from the ground up.
“We're trying to make a difference from the bottom instead of the top level down,” said Shawn, adding, “we've all been touched by opiate addictions. Nobody escapes it because it's so prevalent and government makes a show of doing something about it but they're really not."
He added the couple hopes to inspire youth through positive alternatives.
“Our business isn't very large but if we can contribute in some way to school breakfast programs, school lunch programs—show kids that you don't have to do crime and drugs and all those things to be part of society today.”
Chrystal summed up their motivation simply: “We are capable of making a change so we're doing it.”
