A new initiative aimed at helping at-risk youth access services in north Wellington was launched here on Oct. 2.
A new organization, the North Wellington Coalition for Youth Resiliency, announced a 36-month initiative, thanks to a $216,300 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
The coalition made the announcement on behalf of the Mount Forest Family Health Team, which is administering the grant on behalf of the 15-member coalition of service providers.
A secondary grant that will bring free recreational “STEP Well” programming to youths in north Wellington (Mapleton, Minto and Wellington North) was also announced at the launch, held at the Wellington County OPP station.
Wyndham House of Guelph has been approved for a 12-month, $54,434 grant through the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. This is a collaborative project with GLOWW (Giving Light Offers Worth and Wellness), the Town of Minto, Wellington-Guelph Drug Strategy, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and the County of Wellington.
STEP Well programming is expected to start in north Wellington by November of 2014.
The coalition aims to address the issues facing rural youth in north Wellington County “in a timely, coordinated and inclusive manner.”
The intent is to foster networks that strengthen coordination and partnership around community-based skill development. Reducing barriers and increasing access to social and civic participation for youth, while increasing their ability to address issues that are important to them, are also goals.
Youth volunteers will be invited to advocate for their needs, participate in project direction and set up new programs and services, organizers state.
A portion of the grant funding will go toward employing Community Youth Resiliency Worker Alison Vasey. She says part of her role will be to help young people get connected to services “as well as get them engaged.”
The initial focus for the project is to start understanding the unique youth needs of each community by assessing what is currently available to youth and where service gaps exist.
The coalition consists of representation from: Mount Forest Family Health Team, Wellington-Dufferin-Grey Drug Strategy, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, Homewood Community Addictions Services, Waterloo-Wellington-Dufferin Canadian Mental Health Association, County of Wellington Social Services, Ontario Provincial Police, Upper Grand District School Board, Wellington Catholic District School Board, Wyndham House, Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington, Upper Grand Family Health Team, Minto Mapleton Family Health Team, New Growth Family Centre, and Family and Children Services of Wellington and Guelph.
The coalition is currently looking for youth to get involved to help them find out what young people want to see happen in their community, as well as be a voice themselves.
Any youth, or anyone who knows of a youth interested in helping make some changes in North Wellington is encouraged to contact Vasey. For more information or to connect with the initiative call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7603 or email: avasey@mountforestfht.com.
