For many people, Christmas is a time of year for celebration and spending time with friends and family. But for some, it can also be a very sad and lonely time of year.

However, a local youth shelter and support centre is making the season a little brighter.

Kelvin Hoskins says the Choices for Youth shelter saved his life almost ten years ago.

"I'm still alive today because of them," he said. "They helped me find more of a meaning to Christmas than just getting presents."

When Hoskins showed up on the doorstep of the centre, they helped him get back on track.

Since then, he has celebrated every Christmas with the organization.

"Everybody is gathered around, they're getting along with each other, they're smiling, they're happy," Hoskins said. "It just seems like it's one big family."

Cathy Newhook, co-ordinator at Choices for Youth, said it's important for young people to get the chance to celebrate when it has been, for many of them, a sad time of year.

"We really take it seriously to make sure that they have a Christmas morning that is very enjoyable," Newhook said.

"For instance, the young men at the shelter will wake up Christmas morning and there's stockings and there's presents and they'll have Christmas dinner on Christmas day."