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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-017-07 CI~mglOn REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE November 19, 2007 Resolution #6 pf}- fo$3-D7 Date: Report #: CSD-017-07 File #: By-law #: Subject: MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON'S APPLICATION TO THE YOUTH FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES RECOGNITION PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT ReportCSD-017-07 be received; 2. THAT Council endorse the application for the Municipality of Clarington, as required, to be recognized as a Youth Friendly Community. Submitted by: Jos p . Caruana Dir c r of Community Services Reviewed bY:O~..:::..... ~ Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer JPC/SM/JM CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-5506 REPORT NO.: CSD-017-07 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 The Play Works Partnership is a committed group of representatives from a variety of organizations including 4-H Ontario, Arts Network for Children and Youth, Boys & Girls Clubs of Ontario, Educational Research and Youth Representatives, Laidlaw Foundation, Ontario Physical and Health Education Association, Ontario Young People's Alliance, Parks and Recreation Ontario, Sport Alliance of Ontario and the YMCA who are concerned about the future of youth. They represent the areas of sport, physical activity, civic engagement, arts and culture, rural youth and recreation. They have come together to do something about an issue that has been relegated to the sidelines of society; youth play and activity in Ontario. 1.2 The Play Works Partnership introduced the Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program in December 2004. The program is searching for Ontario communities that are youth friendly, which means that the community actively supports and provides opportunities for the growth and development of youth (13-19) through play. 2.0 APPLICATION PROCESS 2.1 Clarington offers a variety of opportunities and services for youth. Aside from the growing list of services and events offered directly by the municipality, Clarington has many other organizations that support positive growth and development of our youth. Many of these organizations will be approached to support this application, including but not limited to: The Firehouse Youth Centre Clarington Youth Advisory Committee Local Businesses Local Sport Organizations Clarington Public Library Durham Regional Police Ontario Power Generation Boards of Education Visual Arts Centre 2.2 Successful communities will be officially recognized by the Play Works Partnership; . Through a formal presentation (held at Queen's Park previous years) . As a "youth friendly" community in Municipal World Magazine and in a news release to media in Ontario . As a "youth friendly" community on the Play Works Partnership website . As a mentor for other communities to become "youth friendly" REPORT NO.: CSD.017.07 PAGE 3 3.0 COMMENTS 3.1 The application process will help to build awareness of the need to support youth and their involvement in our community. It will also help our community recognize our strengths in working with youth and to identify new ways to engage them. This process will also give our youth positive exposure and acknowledgement for the good work they do in contributing to our community. 3.2 Clarington has made significant strides in the area of youth. We continue to partner with other agencies to support and create positive opportunities for youth to grow, become involved, and have fun! Recognition through this program will help build awareness of the need to support youth and their involvement in the community. Attachment #1 - Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program 2007 Attachment #1 for Report eSO-017-0? Stacey is looking for a place to play. A place where she can - Be physically active. Be creative. Be a leader. Feel accepted. Feel safe. Feel connected. . :~\ - , . .. . \ \ Have you ever asked yourself if your community is "youth friendly?" . Does your community believe in supporting youth? . Does your community offer young people opportunities to participate in meaningful play? . Does your community have a variety of play activities. such as recreation. arts, drama, sports and dance? . Does your community offer play opportunities that include activism, volunteerism. and leadership development? If so. your community could be recognized as "youth friendly." Why get involved? Because it makes sense. A community where youth have the space. support and freedom to play tends to be one with less crime and more post-secondary graduates. Fewer people use social services and more people use bike paths. A community where opportunities for recreation, arts. culture and civic responsibility bloom is one that is healthy. competitive and artistic. Because youth are in danger of "being cancelled until further notice." Being active and engaged in the community is a vital part of the development of youth. It is crucial for their social, physical. intellectual and emotional development. Lack of investment and cutbacks in arts and recreation resources. in higher user fees and volunteer burn out mean youth are being shut out of activities and places where they once thrived. Because as a youth friendly community, you will be helping to build a healthier, stronger community that is socially responsible and attractive to new business. new people and new investments. Because with a Youth Friendly designation. your community will be recognized: . through a formal presentation (held at Queen's Park in previous years) . as a "youth friendly" community in Municipal World magazine . in a news release to media in Ontario . as a "youth friendly" community on the Play Works website . as a mentor for other communities to become 'youth friendly' The application process will help to build oworeness of the need to support youth ond their involvement in your community. It will olso help your community recognize its strengths in working with youth and to identify new ways to engage them. Finolly. this process will give your youth positive exposure ond acknowledgement for the good work they do in contributing to your community. To apply . Fill out the application form and provide documentation as outlined on the application form. . Applicants must provide evidence that they meet at least ten out of 16 of the youth friendly criteria, as listed on the application form. It is not expected that all communities will meet all16 criteria in the first year of application. Ongoing development is encouraged so that communities can work toward meeting all the criteria in the future. . The program is not a competition and there is no limit to the number of communities that will be recognized. However, meeting the minimum number of criteria does not automatically ensure recognition. Deadline for applications is: December 14. 2007. Please note: Two Orientation Sessions will be held via conference call, at which time your community can ask any questions you may have about completing the application form. Youth Friendly Community Mentors - those who are from Youth Friendly Communities and who have previously completed these forms - will be online to help guide you through the application process. The dates for these sessions are: October 10th at 7:00 p.m. and October 18th at 7:00 p.m. Please call 416-426-7065 to register for one of these optional sessions. Questions? Contact Marion Price: pwp@playworkspartnership.ca or (416) 426'7065. Minister of Health Promotion, the Honourable Jim Watson, joins Mayors and Councillors from Youth Friendly Communities at Queen's Park (Z007). The Minister presented plaques to these communities to recognize their investment in youth play. Those involved with Play Works include: 4-H Ontario, Arts Network for Children and Youth, Boys and Girls Clubs of Ontario, Laidiaw Foundation, Ontario Physical and Health Education Association, Ontario Young People's Alliance, Parks and Recreation Ontario, Sport Alliance of Ontario, YMCA Ontario.