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Report
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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: May 6, 2019
Report Number: CSD -004-19 Resolution: GG -254-19
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: Newcastle Youth Centre (6 month pilot project)
Recommendations:
That Report CSD -004-19 be received;
2. That funds as approved by Council as a part of the 2019 budget for the continued
operation of the Newcastle Youth Centre for the remainder of 2019 be released to the
John Howard Society of Durham Region; and
3. That all interested parties listed in Report CSD -004-19 and any delegations be advised
of Council's decision.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CSD -004-19
Report Overview
Page 2
In May 2018 Council approved the operation of a six month pilot youth centre at the Diane
Hamre Recreation Complex to be operated by the John Howard Society of Durham Region.
Report CSD -008-18 recommended that staff report back to the General Government
Committee prior to the end of the six month pilot project.
1. Background
1.1 At the May 7, 2018 General Government Committee meeting, Resolution #GG -217-18
"That the delegation of Scott Murduff and Grade 8 Students from St. Francis of Assisi
Catholic School, regarding social, historical and recreational planning for Newcastle be
received with thanks; That $50,000 be allotted to start youth programs at the Diane
Hamre Recreation Complex this fall; and That staff be directed to provide the account
from which this funding will be taken" was referred.
1.2 At the same meeting, Resolution #GG -218-18 "That resolution #GG -217-18 be referred
to staff to report back to the General Government Committee meeting on May 28, 2018,
regarding a Youth Centre in Newcastle" carried.
1.3 Discussion at the General Government Committee meeting of May 7, 2018 further
indicated it was desirable to have the John Howard Society operate the Newcastle
Youth Centre in a similar fashion to what was proposed for the Courtice Youth Centre.
It was also suggested that in reporting back, staff be encouraged to find a way to make
a Youth Centre in Newcastle a reality within this term of Council.
1.4 At the Council meeting of June 11, 2018 Council approved Resolution GG# -318-18:
"That Report CSD -008-18 be received;
That Council approve a six month pilot project Youth Centre operated by the John
Howard Society, located at the Diane Hamre Recreation Complex, with a scheduled
opening date of December 1, 2018;
That the operating costs of $59,889 be provided to the John Howard Society to operate
the Youth Centre in Newcastle, to be funded from the Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund;
That $20,000 be approved for renovations to the former concession area, to be funded
from the General Capital Reserve;
That staff report back to Council prior to the end of the six month pilot project; and
That all interested parties listed in Report CSD -008-18 and any delegations be advised
of Council's decision."
1.5 The Newcastle Youth Centre (NYC) opened its doors to Clarington youth (12-18 years)
on December 4, 2018. Hours of operation are Tuesday to Thursday 3:00-7:00 p.m.,
Municipality of Clarington
CSD -004-19
Page 3
Friday 3:00-9:00 p.m. and Saturday 12:00-6:00 p.m. Since opening, the Centre has
developed a steady following and is attracting youth between the ages of 12-15 years.
1.6 During the planning stages for the opening of the Courtice and Newcastle Youth
Centres, staff of the Community Services Department and the John Howard Society
developed attendance targets that could assist in determining the success of the
Centres during the pilot period.
1.7 The targets established were based on total number of youth visits and total number of
registered individuals that visited the Centre. The target established was 1,000 visits
over the pilot period (26 weeks) with the Centre attracting 80 registered youth over the
same term.
1.8 In addition, this report will provide information on the following areas to reflect work the
John Howard Society has undertaken during the pilot period to engage and support
youth.
• Community Volunteer Hours — number of youth engaged in community hours
through the Centre and number of hours completed
• Programming — weekly programs/activities offered
2. Youth Centre Attendance, Activities and Feedback
2.1 The John Howard Society operates the three Youth Centres in Clarington on a
philosophy of offering safe, encouraging, non-judgemental and anti -oppressive spaces
for youth to actively participate in recreational, social and life skills programs and
activities. The foundation of this philosophy is built around actively engaging local youth
and designing a space in which they feel comfortable to share their voice.
2.2 The six month pilot period for the Newcastle Youth Centre concludes on June 1, 2019.
The following is a summary of total attendance, gender and age distribution for the initial
17 weeks of operation (December 4, 2018 — March 30, 2019).
Newcastle Youth Centre - Attendance
Total Visits
Average Weekly
Visits
Total Registered
Youth
1,133
67
134
Newcastle Youth Centre — Gender Identification
*This is not a mandatory requirement of the sign in system and youth can choose
not to identify
Municipality of Clarington
CSD -004-19
Male Female
55% 45%
Newcastle Youth Centre — Age
12-15 yrs.
16-18 yrs.
98%
2%
Page 4
2.3 Registration and attendance rates at the NYC are tracking behind what was realized at
The Loft for a similar time period (14 weeks). However, participation has exceeded the
suggested targets for the pilot period.
Volunteer/Community Engagement
2.4 In order for youth to graduate high school with a grade 12 diploma they must complete a
minimum 40 hours of community involvement/volunteering. The community
involvement requirement is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop
awareness and understanding of civic responsibility. It also provides the opportunity for
students to learn more about themselves and possible career opportunities.
2.5 To date, the Centre has 30 youth who have completed approximately 55 hours of
volunteer duties around the Centre. In addition, there are currently two youth programs
being facilitated exclusively by youth. As some youth struggle to find opportunities to
complete the 40 hour volunteer requirement, John Howard Society staff are working
with them to assist in finding opportunities to complete this requirement while giving
back to their community while developing skills.
2.6 Since the opening of the Newcastle Youth Centre, staff from the John Howard Society
have been in direct communication with staff and students of St. Francis of Assisi
Catholic Elementary School. John Howard Society staff note that they are seeing good
participation of grade 7 and 8 students from this school at the Centre.
Programming
2.7 Programming is the foundation of the operation of the Centre. Since opening, the staff
have been active in designing, facilitating and evaluating a wide variety of programming
options. Youth have had the opportunity to participate in weekly fitness/sport programs,
and have collaborated on and created well over 50 pieces of art for the space.
Currently, there is a weekly art program taking place in addition to the regularly
Municipality of Clarington
CSD -004-19
Page 5
scheduled use of the gymnasium, board game tournaments, movie nights, and jam
sessions, just to name a few. Since the opening of the Centre, staff have been engaging
local youth attending the Centre and involving them in the planning of recreation
opportunities and events they are interested in.
2.8 Life and social skill development are critical for the successful operation of the Centre.
Staff continually work with youth on many basic life skills such as: cleaning up after
yourself, working as a part of a team, healthy relationships, emotion regulation, conflict
resolution and peer mentorship.
Engage Clarington Survey
2.9 Since early December a community feedback survey has been available on the
municipal website and in print form at the Newcastle Youth Centre for youth and/or
parents/guardians to complete and provide feedback. As of March 29 the survey has
received 30 responses. Survey results for the Newcastle Youth Centre have been
included in this report (Attachment 1).
3. Youth Centre Space and Location
3.1 Feedback received to date on the location of the Youth Centre within the Diane Hamre
Recreation Complex has been positive from John Howard staff, parents/guardians and
youth. Early indications are that the location within the recreation complex is convenient
and easily accessible to Newcastle youth and the Centre is developing a following of
local youth.
3.2 Future facility and budget planning will include looking at evolving youth trends,
participation rates as well as activity needs and will be advanced for Council
consideration as appropriate.
4. Concurrence
Not Applicable
5. Conclusion
5.1 The Newcastle Youth Centre at the Diane Hamre Recreation Complex has been met
with steady community support and positive feedback from parents/guardians and
youth. The John Howard Society continues to work with municipal staff and community
youth serving agencies to further their reach in the community and increase awareness
of the Centre's opportunities.
5.2 It is respectfully recommended that Council approve the Recommendations outlined in
Report CSD -004-19.
Municipality of Clarington
CSD -004-19
6. Strategic Plan Application
Not applicable.
Submitted by:
Joseph P. Caruana,
Director of Community Services
Page 6
Reviewed by'
4--g
Andrew C. Allison, B. Comm, LL.B
CAO
Staff Contact: Sharon Meredith, Recreation Services Manager, 905-623-3379 ext. 2504 or
smeredith@clarington.net
Attachment 1: Newcastle Youth Centre Feedback
The following is a list of the interested parties to be notified of Council's decision:
Dianna Eastwood, Executive Director, John Howard Society of Durham Region
Scott Murduff, Grade 8 Teacher, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School
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