An 'urgent need' to improve the well-being of our young

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT YOUTH ASSOCIATION

************************* Mobilizing Community for Youth

What

Mobilizing Community for Youth: Community Youth Strategy

Where

Marconi Club

When

Tuesday, October 25 - Wednesday October 26, 2011

Time

Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Wednesday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Why

Strategic planning to address issues affecting Sault Ste. Marie youth The City of Sault Ste. Marie and the Sault Youth Association are hosting a strategic planning workshop that aims to bring together a cross-sectoral representation of organizations and people.

Community decision-makers, delegates from the non-profit, public and private sectors, advocates of youth and all youth are encouraged to band together their expertise and insight to the benefit of a Community Youth Strategy. In January 2011, the Sault Youth Association launched a research initiative with the intentions of identifying the non-economic quality of life indicators that influenced a young person’s ability to experience a positive quality of life in Sault Ste. Marie.

However, it is difficult to move ahead the development of a Community Youth Strategy without acknowledging the urgent need to improve the economic well-being of our young people. Through surveys, interviews, focus groups and forums, over 500 youth contributed to the research process.

The analysis of data revealed eight key trends that identified areas for improvement.

The Sault Youth Association has begun working directly with young people and community partners to address some of these concerns but there are several issues which require the support of the entire community. During this strategic planning event, delegates will be asked to concentrate their efforts on one of four key areas of focus:

- Developing Youth Hubs

- Sustainable Housing for Youth

- Substance Abuse and Mental Health, and

- Economic Well Being, including increasing educational attainment levels, employment opportunities and support for young entrepreneurs/social enterprises. Speakers from across Ontario will share with delegates their best practices over this two day event.

Presenters include representatives from Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre, and Town Youth Participation Strategies, Youth Centres Canada.

Local individuals with an expertise in our four target areas will share their experiences with us. A community that supports the quality of life for young people is a community with a prosperous future.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie and the Sault Youth Association encourages those who have a concern for youth and the community at large to support the development of a Community Youth Strategy on October 25th and 26th, 2011. Pre-registration is required and registration forms can be accessed at this website.

The Sault Youth Association would like to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for making the Youth Strategy Research Initiative possible through their generous grant.

We’d also like to thank the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities for their financial support, without which this important strategic planning workshop would not have been possible.

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