|
Youth Waves working to make Kincardine a youth-friendly community By Liz Dadson |
Kincardine council To Comment on this article Click Here |
||||
|
Kincardine Youth Waves, the local youth coalition, is working to obtain a youth-friendly community designation for Kincardine. That's the word from Kevin Martin, one of the adult mentors with the coalition, and two youth who spoke to Kincardine council at its meeting Wednesday night (July 6).
Kevin Martin of Youth Waves Martin said the coalition was formed in January, 2009, to provide youth an opportunity to work with the community and change the reputation of teenagers for the better. Currently, youth are often avoided by adults, or there are signs at the entrance doors of local businesses saying no more than two students in the store at one time. "We are students and teenagers, but we're not here to cause any trouble," said Martin, adding that the executive of Kincardine Youth Waves is comprised of Kincardine Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Grey Bruce Health Unit, South Bruce OPP and adults volunteers who genuinely believe in youth. "If asked, area youth will tell you that there is nothing for them to do in Kincardine," said Martin. "Kincardine Youth Waves works to provide drug-free and alcohol-free events geared toward teenagers." The group has organized a movie night, a number of barbecues around Kincardine, and is looking forward to organizing and running its third annual International Youth Day celebration this summer. "One
of our main goals for 2011 is to complete work on our proposal to have
Kincardine designated as a youth-friendly community," said Martin.
"This is a huge undertaking, but we are more than up to the challenge." He urged council to endorse this endeavour and to support the coalition's work on youth-friendly, substance-free events. Martin said to receive the youth-friendly designation, the group must meet a minimum of 10 out of 16 criteria. The Town of Hanover has held this designation for the past two years. "It's a great thing to have because it helps attract people to the area," Martin said. Secondary
school students are welcome to help with events, he said, especially
the International Youth Day, to earn the community hours they require
to graduate.
Lauren Killin (L) and Aayushi Joshi of Youth Waves
|
Lauren Killin of Youth Waves, said she often hears from
her peers that there is nothing for youth to do in Kincardine. "I would
like that to change and I want to be part of it." Aayushi Joshi, also of Youth Waves, added that it is important for youth to be part of this group and bring ideas forward about what they want in the community. When asked if there were one thing they would like to see in Kincardine, both youth said a Fusion Youth Centre which is what the group is working toward, as well as the youth-friendly designation. There is a Fusion Youth Centre in Ingersoll which provides access to activities, equipment, facilities and professional support that engage young people where they are interested. And it does so in a safe environment - without risk - without judgement. Council agreed to support the designation project, in principle, and then get more information before deciding whether to endorse it fully. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
|
||||
|
 for
world news,
books, sports, movies ...Saturday, July 09, 2011 |
