Kincardine Youth Waves urges young people to join advisory council

A youth voice in community decision-making is wanted and valued.

That's the word from Kincardine Youth Waves which is urging young people, ages 12-19, to become members of a youth advisory council, set to begin early next year.

Youth Waves members Mariah and Brooklyn Lampi, Jason Weppler of the Grey Bruce Health Unit, and Kincardine deputy mayor Jacqueline Faubert, brought this message to Kincardine council in committee-of-the-whole Nov. 16.

Brooklyn Lampi (above), 13, a student at St. Anthony's School, thanked council for allowing a youth voice to be heard in Kincardine.

"If given the chance, youth will become engaged," she said. "It's important for youth to know they are important to this council and to the community."

Weppler pointed out that the youth-friendly community designation process revealed the need for more opportunities for a youth voice in Kincardine, and the need for more civic engagement for youth.

Therefore, Kincardine has been selected as a pilot project by Parks and Recreation Ontario, along with two other communities, to establish a youth advisory council, said Weppler. This comes with additional funding and supports.

He noted that in July of this year, council supported, in principle, the development and implementation of a youth advisory council.

Faubert said the purpose and organization of this advisory council must be youth-driven; however, there must be youth involved first, in order to do this.

"We have secured a group of adult mentors and allies, and ensured a buy-in by the community and council," said Faubert. "Now we need to recruit interested youth to provide that voice."

She said a survey is currently under way, asking youth between the ages of 12-19, if they think a youth voice in the community is important. The survey can be accessed at the following link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/N8ZGFDQ. The survey application must be completed by Dec. 15.

Initially, Youth Waves is seeking about 12-15 young people for the advisory council, said Faubert. The time commitment is about four to five hours per month for approximately six months. The plan is to select the advisory council, and provide orientation, terms of reference and a meeting structure by February, 2017.

The actual youth advisory council would begin in the spring or early summer of next year.

Weppler said Youth Waves is requesting council provide use of a public hall or council chambers once or twice per month for the youth advisory council; an invitation to report to council in the spring; and a staff liaison (about five hours per month) to assist the advisory council.

"This is a worthwhile endeavour," said mayor Anne Eadie, "but we need a report from staff about the eligibility of the resources you are requesting."

Council agreed that a report will be brought forward by the chief administrative officer.

Faubert noted that Youth Waves has a wide range of representation, including the health unit, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the South Bruce OPP, Community Living, Kincardine District Secondary School, and the municipality.

For more information, contact Youth Waves at 519-396-7240, by E-mail at kinyouthwaves@gmail.com or on Facebook: kinyouthwaves.