Youth Coalition plans to make waves in Kincardine
By Liz Dadson

Health & Fitness/Kincardine Council

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Jaqui Fair (L) and Jackie Hageraats speak to Kincardine council about Youth Waves

A new group hopes to make some positive waves for youth in Kincardine.

Youth Waves is a local youth coalition, with a goal to promote healthy living and provide activities and events for youth.

"We want to improve the relationship between youth and adults, and encourage the community to change its views on common teenage stereotypes," said Jaqui Fair, one of the youth co-ordinators on the coalition, speaking to Kincardine council Wednesday night (Aug. 5).

Currently, Youth Waves has several community partners, including the South Bruce OPP, public health, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Sobeys, the Kincardine recreation department, Kincardine District Secondary School, and 95.5 The Coast FM.

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08/08/2009 07:24 PM

The coalition is celebrating International Youth Day on Aug. 15, 1-4 p.m., at Station Beach, with the first annual Youth Games on the Beach. There will be plenty of different, but highly-interactive and fun activities, plus a barbecue, music, beach volleyball and a youth-only raffle.

Jackie Hageraats, one of the coalition's adult representatives, said the Kincardine group is in its infancy, but there are success stories in other communities, with youth coalitions in Saugeen Shores, Hanover and Walkerton.

"We are asking for council's support in whatever capacity," she said. "Our mandate and long-term goal is to be recognized as a youth-friendly community. To do that, we have 16 criteria to meet. We are well on our way to be designated as such but we need the support of council as well."

She said the benefits of a youth-friendly community include: less crime, more secondary school graduates, fewer people using social services, and ultimately, a healthy, competitive and artistic community.

Hageraats said the coalition has a meeting room, provided by the recreation department. "We actually started in the fall and we were meeting at the high school," she said.

"It's good to see you looking for partners in this endeavour," said councillor Kenneth Craig, noting this would be a good concept to add to the municipality's community plan. "A youth-friendly place is a good idea. It's an opportunity for leadership and activities that support and bolster the whole community."

"We need youth organizations in the community to bring forward the needs and wants of this group," said councillor Guy Anderson. He suggested the coalition make a presentation to the recreation committee to allow for further discussion.

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