about us

At Derick’s Youth Centre, we envision a future where young Calgarians realize their inherent worth while discovering their God given purpose. Guided by our firm belief in the strength of community, mentorship, and the provision of essential resources, we are dedicated to fostering restoration to underserved communities in our city. We aspire to be the catalyst for growth. To cultivate hope for the future, we must uplift the next generation by inspiring young people to overcome adversity and become influential community members and leaders.

The legacy of

Derick Kivia Lwugi

Derick, a man of many roles – husband, father, son, brother, friend, accountant, public servant and pastor – left an indelible mark on those who knew him. On March 10th, 2019, Derick tragically and prematurely lost his life. However, out of the shadows of grief emerged a seed of inspiration to honor his memory in a way that would reflect his essence. Derick’s legacy is out lived by his family, church family, and members of various non-profit and community groups of which he served.

Derick's legacy was woven with threads of love for God, the church, and an unyielding dedication to public service. It is these very qualities that serve as the foundational pillars of DYC. Founded with a mission deeply rooted in Derick's ethos, DYC seeks to be more than just an after school drop-in center. We are a refuge, a hub of empowerment for Calgary’s next generation driven by a shared belief in the transformative power of community, support, and the potential for positive change. Our goal is to empower the youth of Calgary with the resources they need to create a brighter future through mentorship, advocacy/wellness, academic support, sports programs. We strive to generate an atmosphere of warmth and acceptance — a space where students can grow and thrive.

Derick Kivia Lwugi's legacy lives on at Dericks Youth Centre. The DYC will be a reflection of his life, his values, his commitment to public service and his dream to see the Kingdom of heaven on earth.

commemoration 

Our Origin Story

The Derek Youth Centre exists because of a story marked by both deep loss and enduring hope.

In 2019, a tragic plane crash—Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302—claimed the lives of 157 people en route to Nairobi, Kenya. Among them was Derek, a beloved son, friend, and young leader with a passion for justice, youth, and community transformation. His death shook our hearts and our city. But even in the heartbreak, a vision began to rise.

In partnership with First Assembly Church, the Derek Youth Centre was established as a living legacy to Derek’s life and the values he carried. What began in grief has become a space for growth—a place where youth can gather, belong, and become. We named it after Derek because we believe what he stood for still matters. He may be gone, but his impact continues.

This centre is more than a building. It’s a promise—that tragedy will not have the final word. That the next generation deserves places of hope, healing, and purpose.

As we remember Derek, we also honour every life lost on Flight 302. We stand in solidarity with the families, friends, and nations impacted by this devastating event. May this space serve as a reminder: even in sorrow, new life can rise.

Leadership

Derick’s Youth Centre is a ministry of First Assembly Church. We partake in its vision of Impacting Calgary and the world with the life transforming presence of Jesus. Our ministry is overseen by an Advisory board of directors that support in the development. The DYC is untimely accountable to the Governing Council of First Assembly Church.

Advisory Board

Jeremiah Niengor | Chair of the board

Derek Mensah | Co-chair of the board

Sal & Lucy Caceres | FA Executive Leadership Team

Melody Kivia | Secretary

Gladys Kivia | Kivia family representative

Staff Team

  • Jeremiah Niengor

    DYC Director

  • Angel Kivia Wells

    DYC Coordinator

  • Jotham Wesley

    DYC Youth Advocate

Our Values.

  • We are a faith based organization, but we open our doors to any and every student. All backgrounds, all cultures, all faiths, all people are welcome.

  • At the DYC, we believe every person is worthy of respect. It is our commitment to treat every student with dignity and respect, and we expect the students to do the same for one another.

  • We believe every person has talents, and good qualities and we call the best out of each other. We assume positive intent. We start with a baseline of trust, and partner with students to help them be everything that they can be.