Report to: General Committee Report Date: February 21, 2008

SUBJECT: Youth Services Update

PREPARED BY: Jason Tsien, Community Resource Coordinator

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report entitled “Youth Service Update” be received as information;

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units) 6. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the report is to update Council on the following items.

1. Events the Mayor’s Youth Task Force has organized and will be engaging in 2008.
2. Recreation youth services strategic plan accomplishments and proposed initiatives.

BACKGROUND:

1. Mayor’s Youth Task Force (MYTF)

The Mayor’s Youth Task Force (MYTF) is comprised of 22 students representing different high-schools and elementary schools in the four areas of Markham (Markham, Milliken, Unionville and Thornhill). The group’s cultural make up also represents Markham’s diverse community.

As part of the MYTF’s mandate, each year the group focuses on pertinent issues youth are faced with and participates in International Youth Week to acknowledge and celebrate youth.

For example, last year in October of 2006 an article from the Toronto Star described an increase in youth violence from the 905 area. In response to this problem, the MYTF created the Stamp Out Violence conference (May, 2007). In partnership with the Social Service Network, York Region District School Board, YWCA, East Metro Youth Services, Red Cross and 180, the MYTF created a conference that covered areas in Gang Violence, School Violence, Media Violence and Women’s violence. The conference was well received by the 103 students that visited from both high schools and elementary schools. World renowned psychologist Dr. Bruce Ferguson, head of community health systems at the Hospital for Sick Children and a professor at the University of Toronto was the key note speaker at the conference.

As an outcome of the Stamp-Out Violence conference, the MYTF actively pursued ways to benefit youth at risk in Markham. In October 2007, it partnered with Pathways of York Region to help raise a targeted amount of $15,000 in 2008. With the amount raised, the MYTF will be able to assist Pathways to cover program costs at their residential youth homes. Examples of programs include life skills workshops, recreation programs and counseling sessions. The amount raised has been agreed to be kept in Markham to help high-risk youth in our community.

A report on last year’s MYTF initiatives and results can be found in Appendix 1.1

Youth Week is an international celebration of youth held annually during the first week of May. It is a week of fun, interaction and celebration intending to build a strong connection between young people and their communities and to profile the issues, accomplishments and diversity of youth across the province.

Wherever Youth Week is celebrated, the idea behind it is the same: Young people are important and need to be recognized in a constructive and positive manner. Their contributions need to be acknowledged and celebrated.

During Youth Week, young people around the world organize and participate in many activities including sporting events, musical performances, art displays, movie nights, random acts of kindness, award ceremonies, community projects displays on education and employment services and much more!

Since 2004, the Mayor’s Youth Task Force has increased the number of events from six to eleven. This year, Markham’s International Youth Week highlights include Youth Week Kickoff at Markville Mall on Sunday, May 4th, the 3^rd annual Amazing Markham Race on Saturday, May 10^th and a first ever Youth Week preview to celebrate the 2^nd annual Battle of the Bands on Friday, April 18^th.

The 2008 Markham Youth Week kicks off on Sunday, May 4^th to May 11^th. It aligns itself with International Youth Week, which occurs on the first week in May.

The MYTF and the Area Youth Councils, supervised by Town of Markham staff, creates a series of fun and educational events for youth in our community. These events celebrates the talents and gifts of our Markham youth population.

To see a full listing of events hosted by the MYTF and the 4 Area Youth Council (Markham, Milliken, Unionville and Thornhill), please refer to Appendix 1.2

2. Recreation Department – Youth Service Strategic Plan

In 2005, Markham’s Recreation Department received recognition as one of eight municipalities across Ontario to receive the first Youth Friendly Community award promoted by Play Works Partnerships.

Moving into 2008, Markham continues to thrive in providing excellent youth services. Markham continues to follow the 15 critical criteria that shape a Youth Friendly Community. To see the list of criteria and accomplishments, please refer to Appendix 2.1

As an outcome of the Youth Friendly Community Award, Markham created a 3 year youth strategic plan from 2006-2008. To build on existing youth plans, the current youth service strategic plan calls for the development and implementation of a new 3 year youth service plan for 2009-2011. Please refer to Appendix 2.2 to review 2006-2008 Youth Strategic Plan goals and accomplishments.

A 3 year (2009-2011) Youth Service strategic plan is in its current stages of being developed. Its main objective is to increase youth services in Markham. In addition, the new plan will put an emphasis on quality and accessibility to information and services provided through the Recreation department. This 3 year plan will also include input and participation from other youth program providers in Markham. This will assists services by linking their resources together to build towards a stronger youth environment for the future.

3. Markham’s Youth Recreational Drop-In Program trends

Please refer to Appendix 3.1 to see graphs and trends of Markham Drop-In programs.

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Markham Drop-In Program trends show a significant increase in the amount of Youth Drop-In programs being offered. Since spring of 2006, an increase from 21 programs to 51 programs in 2008 has occurred. This is a 60% increase with drop in programs created to cater towards the needs of youth in Markham.

The graphs in Appendix 3.1 indicate a seasonal breakdown of drop-in programs being offered from 2005-2008. The number of summer drop-in programs is lower due to other significant services that the Recreation department provides at that time. The Recreation department is aware of specific interests from our youth population during the summer months. Many of the youth population tends to look for potential volunteer opportunities to complete their 40 hours of community service for school and/or are looking for employment. This reason contributes to a lower amount of drop-in programs provided. Recreation also offers additional services during the summer months, which include a

large increase in youth volunteers in our summer camp and leisure buddy (special needs) programs, a popular leader in training (LIT) camp and many other special events.

Under the guidance from Mayor and Council, the Recreation department has used innovative ways to create extra drop-in programs during the summer months, for example, offering drop-in basketball programs.

The Recreation department typically hires over 1,000 youth as summer camp staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

No applicable.

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

No applicable.

ENGAGE 21^ST CONSIDERATIONS:

No applicable.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

No applicable.

RECOMMENDED

BY: ________________________ ________________________

Barbara M. Roth Allan Seabrooke

Director of Recreation Services Commission Lead,

Community & Fire Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix 1.1 2007 Mayor’s Youth Task Force events

Appendix 1.2 2008 Youth Events Listing

Appendix 2.1 Youth Friendly Community Criteria and Successes

Appendix 2.2 2006-2008 Youth Service Strategic Plan: Goals and Successes

Appendix 3.1 Seasonal Recreation Drop-In Programs

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