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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-10-02 .. ~ . CI~mglOn REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Report #: General Purpose and Administration Committee April 29, 2002 Resolution #: 0'lff- / !<[-O;J- fls CSD-10-02 File#: By-law #: Meeting: Date: Subject: CLARINGTON YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report No. CSD-10-02 be received for information: Submitted J s h P. Caruana ir ctor of Community Services Reviewed by: 0 ~- (~ Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer JPC/BT/SC/ta 1006 C' . REPORT NO. CSD-10-02 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 In January 2000, Council approved the formation of the Clarington Youth Advisory Committee as the advisory group to speak to youth issues and in November of 2000 Sandy Archibald agreed to accept the duties of Chair of the CYAC. 1.2 The Committee represents a cross section of the community with representation from John Howard Society, local community group and organizations, residents including the business community, Durham Region Police Services, Boards of Education, churches, service clubs, the Durham Region Health Department, Clarington Public Library, the Volunteer Resource Centre of Durham, as well as the support of Councillors and the Municipality's Community Services Department. Regular committee meetings are held every month. 2.0 COMMENT 2.1 The Firehouse Youth Centre, with the tremendous support of the John Howard Society, continues to be an active and successful hub of youth programming. The program offered Tuesday through Friday evenings consistently attracts 20- 50 youth while the summer program continues to grow. Basketball has been added to the program and has proven to be very popular. (see attachment #1) 2.2 The CYAC was successful in securing HRDC funding to hire two youth support workers in August to assist with the programming at the Firehouse and to initiate outreach programming. 2.3 A Youth program was offered in Courtice with the support of Courtice Secondary School and Faith United Church. This program was immediately successful and drew about 40 youth per night. The lack of affordable and accessible active program space continues to be a hurdle in the continuation of such programming. 2.4 The CYAC has identified Newcastle as a high needs area and is investigating potential locations to offer programs. Again, the shortage of affordable and accessible active program space is the biggest obstacle. 3.0 ACTIVITIES 3.1 An Area Youth Survey has been developed and is being distributed through the schools to a sampling of grade 7-9 youth to assist the committee in identifying program needs and future program planning. 3.2 A successful Art Contest and Exhibit was offered through the area schools. Students were invited to submit their art around the theme of Diversity. Over 80 entries were submitted with the winning artists being recognized by the Mayor and Council at a Council meeting. 1007 ! .' REPORT NO. CSD-10-02 PAGE 3 3.3 In September a Murder Mystery fundraiser was hosted by the CYAC with the support of Ontario Power Generation. This evening was a great success, enjoyed by all in attendance. The event raised over $2600.00 for the CY AC. 3.4 Under the leadership of Sandy Archibald, the CYAC has defined their Mission Statement as "To facilitate the development and enhancement of programming to meet the needs of youth in Clarington." A workshop was hosted in February at which time committee members focused on strategies and initiatives to meet their Mission. 3.5 The CYAC was recently awarded a Partners Against Crime (PAC) grant in the amount of $11,000.00. These funds will be used to host two weekend seminars for youth in Leadership Development in the fall of 2002 and spring of 2003 to coincide with the 2002/03 school year. In addition, the CYAC will purchase anti- graffiti products to by applied at the Skate Board Park and in Rotary Park to assist with park clean up of graffiti. (In the summer of 2001, in discussions with the BIA and with the assistance of the Operations Department, the Fire House Youth Centre "adopted" Rotary Park and undertook a clean up campaign prior to the weekly concerts. The youth members of the Fire House would pick up litter and attempt to address graffiti. It is expected this application of anti-graffiti products will reduce the amount of vandalism and make cleanup in the park easier.) 4.0 SUMMARY 4.1 The Clarington Youth Advisory Committee has achieved many positive results in the last year. The Firehouse Youth Centre continues to grow and offer new and exciting programs and events for local youth and new programs have been successfully offered in Courtice. However the CY AC appreciates that there are programming needs in other areas within the municipality and is actively attempting to expand their committee base to include representatives from all of the communities of Clarington. 4.2 The Committee has developed objectives which are specific, measurable and attainable and is in the process of developing strategies and partnerships to pursue other funding opportunities. These objectives are; o To increase self-confidence, leadership and team building skills in youth o To increase school completion rates o To increase community awareness of youth culture and opportunities o To increase self-confidence, leadership and team building skills in youth in remote areas of the municipality. 4.3 The CY AC is very appreciative of the support they receive from the Municipality and the community in general. CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET., BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905) 623-3379 F (905) 623-5506 1008 ATTACHMENT #1 TO REPORT CSD-10-02 THE JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY OF DURHAM REGION FIREHOUSE YOUTH CENTRE 132 Church Street, Bowmauville, ON Tel: (905) 623-6814 SERVICE REPORT January 2002 COMMITTEE STRUCTURE: Clarington Youth advisory Committee (CY AC) Firehouse Program Committee STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE: Dianna Eastwood Coordinator (John Howard Society I Clarington Resource Centre) David Smith Coordinator (Firehouse Youth Centre) Lisa Hamilton Assist. Coordinator (Firehouse Y outh Centre) Carolyn Watters Youth Outreach Worker I HRDC Natasha Luby Youth Outreach Worker I HRDC VOLUNTEERS: : Durham College Student Placement (Human Services Counsellor and Police Foundations) : Adult Volunteers : Youth Volunteers (High school Volunteer Placements and Youth Committee Volunteers) : Community Service Order Placements (CSO) It should be noted that the volunteer structure changes periodically due to the nature ofthe placements. ATTENDANCE I YOUTH PROFlLE: The Firehouse Youth Centre continues to operate Tuesday to Thursday 4:30pm to 9:30pm and Friday 4:30pm to !0:30pm. Attendance has remained consistent with 20 to 50 youth frequenting the centre on any given night with fluctuations due to school exams, winter and summer vacations etc. The youth attending are between the ages of 13 to 20 with the majority residing in the core areas of Bowmanville and within walking distance to the centre. The youth have adopted the centre as their own place and feel it to be a safe environment where they are accepted by their peers aod staff. During the summer months it was observed that the majority of youth in attendance were involved in the summer programming being provided during the daytime and evenings and was very successful. I lODY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS PROGRAMMING: The Firehouse Youth Centre continues to offer the following: . Foosball, Air Hockey, Pool, Weightlifting, Video Games, Basketball . Cards and Board Games . Band Concerts, DJ Dances and Karaoke . Movie Nights sponsored by Jumbo Video . Computer Lab with internet access and word processing for homework . Summer Ball Hockey (Outdoor) . Bingo with prizes donated from various local businesses . Stereo provided for youth to play their music on nightly basis . Coffee House / Snack Bar (staffed by youth) . Girls Club . Youth Committee who participate in fundraising / programming The following is a partial list of events / programming and fundraising that took place between July and December 200 I. A complete list can be accessed through the Firehouse Web Site in the Events Calendar: www.firehouse.s5.eom . July 6/01 . July 11/0] . July 19/01 . Aug. 10/01 . Aug. 17/01 . Aug. 23/0 I . Aug. 24/0 I . Oct. 13/0 I . Oct. 19/01 . Oct. 20/0 I . Nov. 8/0 I . Nov. 22/0 I . Nov. 30/0] . Dec. 14/01 . Dec. 20/0 I Glow in the Dark Indoor Mini Putt Camp Day at Darlington Park True Colours Personality Traits Workshop Summer Dance Karaoke Drug Awareness/Harm Reduction Workshop Tour of Much Music Studios Apple Festival (Fundraising) Halloween Dance Spooktackle (Fundraising at Archibald Orchards) Bingo Night Bowling Art Exhibition (CY AC event hosted by the Firehouse) Christmas Dance Youth Christmas Dinner / Youth Appreciation / V olunteer Awards Dinner FUNDRAISING AND DONATIONS: The following is a partial list of events and donations that have taken place over the past year and provide an overview of the support the Firehouse is receiving within the Municipality of Clarington: . Development of children's games including (Ball Toss, Ring Toss, Basketball Toss, Fish Pond, Mini Golf, Balloon Animals, Face Painting) being used as a fundraising tool for the youth committee. These games have allowed the youth committee to be much more active in community events throughout the year such as he Apple Festival, Safety Day, Courtice Canada Day Celebrations along with various other functions. . The Firehouse Youth Committee held it's annual car wash in partnership with the Bowmanville Fire Department again this past summer at the Bowmanville Mall to raise funds for the centre. . The Bowmanville Rotary Club continues to support the Firehouse Youth Centre and donated $2000.00 for the year 2001 is currently in the process of making a donation for the year 2002. . The Auto Workers Union donated $2000.00, which was put towards a PA System currently in use at the youth centre for Dances, Concerts, Karaoke, Bingos and various other events. 2 lU10 . Jumbo Video continues to support the Firehouse by providing a free movie rental every Wednesday. . Blockbuster Video donated a Nintendo 64 game system giving youth access to various video games. . Ontario Power Generation continues to support the youth centre by donating food and various items. . Eastside Mario's Restaurant is currently in the process of donating Basketballs and a DVD/CD Player, which will be use for movie nights, karaoke and various fundraising. . The TD Bank donated two Laser Printers currently being used in the youth centre's computer lab. . Einstein's Restaurant donated tables, display case and a coke fridge helping to make the snack bar and coffee house seating area comfortable for the youth. It should be noted that many local businesses such as The Zone, Zellers, Dollar Dome and many more have contributed by donating product for prizes along with private donations and continue to help sustain the Firehouse Youth Centre. PROGRAMMING GOALS: The Firehouse Y Guth Centre continues to grow and expand offering more programming and events as new volunteers and contract staff are added bringing their skills and fresh ideas. Future programming goals include: . The continuation and expansion of the girls club, which is running very successfully with an average group size of20 participants. . The addition of a structured and consistent tutoring program to better utilize the computer lab for homework and learning purposes. . Development of a youth leadership program within the Firehouse Youth Committee helping them to learn and utilize new skills while boosting self- confidence. This would include sending youth on conferences such as the Youth Tobacco Coalition Conference enabling them to network with other youth outside their community while learning about issues related to youth. . Continue and Increase community based volunteering and fundraising giving youth valuable work experience, learning opportunities while promoting positive involvement within the community. . Continuation of outdoor summer ball hockey with the addition of an outdoor basketball net. It has been recognized that the majority of youth would prefer to be active outdoors during the summer months. . Continuation of summer programming during the months of June, July and August offering youth activities during the day as well as evening while on school vacation. . Addition of a Nutrition / Healthy Eating program providing youth in need with food. . Development of an Art Program to help youth to express themselves while promoting their skills / talents and confidence. 3 lUll . : FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE FIREHOUSE YOUTH CENTRE: . The Firehouse Youth Centre continues to grow and development new programming and as stated in prior reports. consistent funding and staffmg, structured programming and youth input is key to its' success. . Continued grant research and the acquisition of funding from various sources such as the Trillium Foundation will be imperative to sustain the Firehouse Youth Centre. . The Firehouse Youth Centre supports and looks forward to participating in the growth ofthe Clarington Youth Advisory Committee and their goals to expand youth programming throughout the Municipality of Clarington. . As the above continues to expand it is hoped that the Firehouse Centre will remain a resource and partner with the Municipality ofClarington helping to promote a strong and healthy youth initiative. Respectfully Submitted, Dianna Eastwood Coordinator John Howard Society of Durham Region-Clarington David Smith Coordinator Firehouse Youth Centre 4 1 U 12