Free youth hangout returns to Lido Theatre

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A second 4U Youth Hangout is set to take over the Lido Theatre this weekend.

According to a February 20th Facebook post from 4U Youth, the next hangout will take place on Saturday, February 28th, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to youth aged 12 to 18.

The inaugural event, held earlier this month, was launched by a group of Fort St. John residents with backgrounds in youth camps, social work and healthcare. 

Organizer Christy Stephens previously told Energeticcity.ca the idea grew out of conversations among friends who saw a growing need for safe spaces for young people in the community.

“It’s just a group of friends in the community who’ve lived here a long time, grown to love it and started to really see a need for youth [supports],” Stephens said.

Stephens noted concerns about youth mental health in Fort St. John, saying the deaths of two young people over the 2025 Christmas break accelerated plans to move forward with the first hangout.

“The mental health of youth in this town has been an issue,” she said. “There hasn’t really been something that shows them they’re seen and that there’s a safe place to go.”

The hangout promises free food, live music, video games, board games and icebreaker activities with prizes. 

A “Real Talk” area is also available for youth who want a space for conversation and sharing, though organizers say there is no pressure to open up.

“We’re not going to be asking a bunch of questions,” Stephens said ahead of the first event. 

“We just want it to be a safe place that maybe if they’re like, ‘yeah, I’m struggling with mental health,’ then we can also connect them with community supports.”