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Community Services
Report
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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: January 21, 2019
Report Number: CSD -001-19 Resolution: GG -015-18
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: Pilot Youth Centre, Courtice (The
Recommendations:
1. That Report CSD -001-19 be received;
2. That 2019 funding requirements for the Courtice Youth Centre and the Newcastle Youth
Centre be referred to the John Howard Society of Durham Region 2019 grant
submission and considered by Council during the 2019 budget process; and
3. That all interested parties listed in Report CSD -001-19 and any delegations be advised
of Council's decision.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CSD -001-19 Page 2
Report Overview
In May 2018 Council approved the operation of a six month pilot youth centre in Courtice to
be operated by the John Howard Society of Durham Region. Report CSD -006-18
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 Council meeting of May 22, 2018, Council approved the Resolution #C-186-18:
"That Report CSD -006-18 be received;
That Council approve a six month pilot project Youth Centre operated by the John Howard
Society, located at South Courtice Arena, with a scheduled opening date of September 4,
2018;
That the $50,000 approved in the 2018 budget be drawn from Community Services Youth
Centre Pilot Account #100-42-426-10496-7161 and provided to the John Howard Society to
operate the youth centre;
That Council approve the proposed additional cost of $7,700 to operate the youth centre for
six months, including Saturdays to be funded from Unclassified Administration -Contingency
Account 100-21-211-x-7298 for 2018 only;
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 -006-18 and any delegations be advised of
Council's decision."
1.2 The Courtice Youth Centre (The Loft) opened its doors to Clarington youth (12-18 yrs.)
on September 4, 2018. Hours of operation are Tuesday to Thursday 3:00-7:00 p.m.,
Friday 3:00-9:00 p.m. and Saturday 12:00-6:00 p.m. The centre is open 24 hours per
week. Since opening, the centre has developed a steady following and is attracting
youth between the ages of 12-15 years.
1.3 During the planning stages, staff of the Community Services Department and John
Howard Society developed attendance targets that could assist in determining the
success of the centres during their pilot period.
1.4 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 (average eight youth per day) with the centre attracting 80
registered youth over the same term.
Municipality of Clarington Page 3
Report CSD -001-19
1.5 In addition, this report will provide information on the following areas to reflect the work
the John Howard Society has undertaken during the pilot period to engage and support
youth.
x Community Volunteer Hours - number of youth engaged in community hours
through centre and number of hours completed.
x Programming — weekly programs/activities offered.
2. Youth Centre Attendance, Activities and Feedback
2.1 The youth centre is built on a philosophy of offering a safe, encouraging, non-
judgemental and anti -oppressive space for all youth across the Municipality of
Clarington 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 Loft concludes March 2, 2019. The following is a
summary of total attendance, gender and age distribution for the first 14 weeks of
operation for the period of September 4 — December 8, 2018.
The Loft Youth Centre - Attendance
Total Visits
Average Weekly
Visits
Total Registered Youth
1046
75
360
Municipality of Clarington
Resort CSD -001-19
The Loft Youth Centre - Gender Identification
*This is not a mandatory requirement of the sign in system and
youth can choose not to identify
Male
Female
59%
41%
The Loft Youth Centre — Age Breakdown
12-15 yrs.
16-18 yrs.
99%
1%
Volunteer/Community Engagement
Page 4
2.3 In order for youth to graduate high school with their grade 12 diploma they must
complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement/volunteering. The
community involvement requirement is designed to provide students with the
opportunity to develop awareness and understanding about civic responsibility. It also
provides the opportunity for students to learn more about themselves and possible
career opportunities.
2.4 To date, the centre has 31 youth who have completed 55 hours of volunteer duties. As
some youth struggle to finding 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 and
developing skills.
Life and Social Skills
2.5 These programs are the foundation for the operation of the centre. Since opening the
centre in September, staff continue to work with youth on basic life skills. This work
focuses around areas such as cleaning up after yourself, working as part of a team,
healthy relationships, emotion regulation, conflict resolution and peer mentorship.
Municipality of Clarington
Resort CSD -001-19
Recreation Programming
Page 5
2.6 Since the opening of The Loft John Howard Society staff have been engaging youth
attending the centre and involving them in the planning of recreation opportunities and
events they are interested in.
2.7 Youth participating have had over 50 opportunities for creative expression. Youth have
been involved in projects that include the painting of wooden furniture, creating wall art
that is proudly displayed in the youth centre, to creating Christmas centrepieces. The
youth have enjoyed a variety of mediums and created projects independently as well as
part of a group.
2.8 In addition, youth and staff utilize the gymnasium at the South Courtice Arena weekly on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. The staff plan a variety of physical activities during this time
including sports such as basketball, volleyball, soccer and dodgeball, as well as
interactive mindfulness activities such as yoga.
Engage Clarington Survey
2.9 Since early October a community feedback survey has been available on the municipal
website and in print form at The Loft for youth and/or parents to complete and provide
feedback. The survey has been actively promoted through the social media channels of
both the Municipality and the John Howard Society. As of December 18 the survey has
received 63 responses. Survey results for The Loft have been included in this report
(Attachment 1).
3. Youth Centre Space and Location
3.1 Feedback received to date from both staff of the John Howard Society as well as youth
is the current dedicated space at the South Courtice Arena is working well. The size of
the room allows for multiple activities occurring at the same time. The South Courtice
Arena offers the additional amenities of the gymnasium and outdoor fields/basketball
courts during the warmer weather months which have been an asset to the centre.
3.2 Based on the first four months of operation Community Services Department staff as
well as John Howard Society staff believe that for the short term (2019) this location is
working well. As The Loft continues to establish itself in Courtice, further research
should be undertaken to determine if the space continues to remain adequate to meet
the growing youth needs and if the South Courtice Arena is the best medium/long term
location for Courtice youth. Future facility and budget planning will include looking at
how the centre evolves, challenges and future needs.
4. Financial Implications
4.1 The John Howard Society agency budget for 2019 includes a funding request for both
the Courtice and Newcastle youth centres from the end of the pilot periods to year end.
Municipality of Clarington Page 6
Report CSD -001-19
4.2 While this report does not include data on the Newcastle Youth Centre, staff will report
back to Committee in the spring prior to the end of that pilot period. Any approved
funding for the Newcastle Youth Centre beyond the pilot period will be held by the
Municipality until Council has received the pilot project report and approved the
continued operation of the centre.
4. Conclusion
5.1 The Youth Centre operating out of the South Courtice Arena has been met with steady
community support and positive feedback from both parents 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 -001-19.
5. Strategic Plan Application
Not applicable.
Submitted by:
Joseph P. Caruana,
Director of Community Services
Reviewed by:
(for) Andrew C
CAO
Allison, B. Comm, LLB
Staff Contact: Joe Caruana, Director of Community Services 905-623-3379 Ext. 2502 or
jcaruana@clarington.net
Attachments:
Attachment 1: The Loft Youth Centre Feedback Report
The following is a list of interested parties to be notified of Council's decision:
Dianna Eastwood, Executive Director, John Howard Society of Durham Region