2012 Youth Friendly Communities Applications

 

Welcome to the information page for the 2012 Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program.

Before you begin your application process, you are encouraged to set up a personal call with Play Works. This call will help you get all your questions answered right from the start! You will also receive helpful hints as to how to structure your application process, tips on how to engage youth in the process, and more detailed information on the types of and how much supporting documentation to include. Please note, communities that are applying for re-application after their five-year recognition period are also encouraged to set up an orientation call.

Please email pwp@playworkspartnership.ca or call 416-426-7065 to set up an orientation call.

If at any time you would like more information about the Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program, please feel free to contact Play Works or one of our YFC Mentors. By scrolling to the map that follows, you can find the Mentors’ names, email addresses and phone numbers when you hover over the flag that lists the community they are from. You might want to consider contacting someone who is from a community of your size and/or geographic location.

Then, after the map below, you will find a list of the Youth Friendly criteria. Scroll down to that area because, when you click on each criteria, you will find examples of what other communities have included in their applications. You may find this information useful in completing your application process.

At any time that you would like more information about this recognition program and/or Play Works in general, please email pwp@playworkspartnership.ca or call 416-426-7065.

At any time that you would like more information about this recognition program and/or Play Works
in general, please email pwp@playworkspartnership.ca or call 416-426-7065.
416-426-7065 to set up your orientation call!

Who’s Youth Friendly in Ontario?

Please click on the marker for youth friendly community. Double-click on the map to zoom in to the desired level. Contact information is also available on the map, click on a point for details.


View Youth Friendly Communities in a larger map
Population Less Than 20,000
Population Greater Than 20,000

Examples of Youth Friendly Community Criteria

To help you with your application process, you may wish to take a look at the examples which applicants have included in their submissions to help show how they have met the Youth Friendly Community criteria. Please note that these examples are collapsed from all the applications received and do not represent what just one community might offer. The examples are just to get you thinking about what you could look for or who to talk to in your community when completing the application process. Click on the criteria to see the examples for it.

  1. Youth have options for play in their community.
    The community offers a consistent and varied mix of play opportunities for youth over the age of twelve. Play includes recreation, sport, arts, drama, dance, civic engagement, youth activism, volunteerism, social clubs and youth leadership. It is structured and unstructured, facility and non-facility based, competitive and recreational, active and passive and it is adult-led and peer-led. It is offered by public service, not-for-profit agencies, and private enterprise or through informal groups.
    • 30-Hour Famine
    • 4-H
    • Aboriginal celebrations
    • Adventure Day Camps
    • Aerobics Classes
    • Air Hockey
    • Anime
    • Archery
    • Areas of cultural, recreation, health/wellness and mental health are emphasized
    • Arts and culture
    • Babysitting Program
    • Badminton
    • Ball Hockey
    • Ballet
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Baton Club
    • Beach Volleyball
    • Beading
    • Belly Dancing Class
    • Bicycle Safety Program
    • Big Brothers and Big Sisters
    • Biking Program
    • BMX
    • Bocce
    • Bowling
    • Boxing
    • Boy Scouts
    • Boys and Girls Club
    • Break Dancing
    • Breakfast Club
    • Buskerfest
    • Cadets (i.e. Army, Navy or Air)
    • Calvary Assembly – Youth rooms and programs specific
    • Camp Enterprise - a great opportunity for youth to learn about business opportunities
    • Camps
    • Canoeing
    • Cheerleading
    • Chess Club
    • Choir
    • Circus Arts
    • Civic Engagement
    • Climbing Wall
    • Community Centres
    • Community Fairs
    • Community Pageant
    • Competitive Sports Leagues
    • Computer Lab
    • Cooking
    • Cricket
    • Cross Training
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Curling
    • Cycling
    • Cycling
    • Dance
    • Day Camp
    • Dinner and Discussion drop-in group
    • Diverse groups for youth
    • Dodgeball
    • Drama (clubs, programs activities)
    • Drawing
    • Drop-in centres at churches
    • Drop-in programs
    • Evidence of opportunities in both organized and drop-in activities from most areas indicated.
    • Faith community has programs for youth
    • Fencing
    • Field Lacrosse
    • Figure Skating
    • Fishing
    • Fitness and Weight Training
    • Flag Football
    • Floor Hockey
    • Foosball
    • Football
    • FREE Youth Programming
    • Friday Night Drop-In
    • Friday Night Teen Dance Night
    • Friday Teen Night
    • “Fright Night”
    • Gardening
    • Gay-Straight Alliance
    • Girl Guides
    • Girls Inc. - a great program to empower girls and a chance for mentorship and volunteer hours for teens
    • Girls Only Program (i.e. Girls' Night) or Girls Mentoring Program (i.e. Go Girls!)
    • “Girl Talk” conversation program
    • Go Cart Facility
    • Golf
    • Guitar Lessons
    • Guys Night
    • Gymnastics
    • Hardball
    • Hip Hop Dancing
    • Hockey
    • Horseback Riding
    • iDance
    • Indoor Bocce
    • Inline Skating
    • Instrumental Classes
    • Inter and Intra-mural sports
    • Karaoke
    • Karate
    • Kayaking
    • Kickboxing
    • Kid Bingo
    • Lacrosse
    • Laser Tag
    • Lawn Bowling
    • Leadership development (i.e. Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, Leaders-In-Training)
    • Leisure Programs
    • “Living Green” environmental program
    • Lunch drop-in programs
    • Mall Walking Club
    • Martial Arts
    • “Midnight” sports
    • Mini-Golf
    • Mountain Biking
    • Movie Nights
    • Multi-use Sports Pad
    • Music Festival
    • Musical Workshops
    • National Lifeguarding Service
    • Non-Competitive Sports Tournaments
    • Open Mic Nights
    • Outreach Programs
    • Painting
    • Paved Trails
    • Photography
    • Photography
    • Piano Lessons
    • Picnic Areas
    • Pilates
    • Ping Pong
    • Playgrounds
    • Poetry and Short Story Writing
    • Poets Circle
    • Pottery
    • Programs that involve arts, drama, and dance
    • Public Library Programs
    • Racing (Kart Club)
    • Raquetball
    • Registered programs and unstructured play
    • Religious groups offer youth groups and programs
    • Ringette
    • Roller Hockey
    • Rollerblading
    • Rotary Club
    • Rowing
    • Rugby
    • Running Program
    • Saddle Club
    • Sailing School
    • Scavenger Hunt
    • Scouts Canada
    • Scuba Lessons
    • Sculpture
    • Short Story Contests
    • Singing Competitions
    • Skateboarding
    • Skating
    • Skiing
    • Sledge Hockey
    • Slo-Pitch
    • Snorkeling
    • Snow Shoeing
    • Snowboarding
    • Soccer
    • Social Clubs
    • Softball
    • Special Needs Programs
    • Sport Associations
    • Sports Clinics
    • Squash
    • Street Hockey
    • Summer Wilderness Outings
    • Table Tennis
    • Tai Chi
    • Teen Dance
    • “Teen Idol”
    • Tennis
    • Theatre School
    • Tobaggoning
    • Track & Field
    • Triathalon Training
    • Tubing
    • Ultimate Frisbee
    • Underground Gym
    • Visual Art Instruction
    • Vocals - voice lessons, choirs
    • Volleyball
    • Water Polo
    • Water Sports Camps
    • Wide variety of recreation facilities (indoor and outdoor)
    • Wonderland Day Trip
    • Wrestling
    • Yacht Club
    • YMCA
    • Youth Appreciation Day
    • Youth Cabinet
    • Youth Centre
    • Youth Centre Open House
    • Youth Choir
    • Youth Programs
    • Youth Symphony
  2. Youth are formally connected to the community.
    The community has ways in which youth can have their voices heard. These can be neighbourhood or municipal-wide, such as youth advisory committees or councils. Formal opportunities for youth involvement could include having designated seats for youth representatives at decision-making tables such as Business Improvement Associations, Recreation Committees, Staff Hiring Committees and/or Selection Committees for Recognition Awards.
    • Aboriginal Youth Empowerment Program
    • Action Centre for Youth has a designated position for youth on their Board
    • Advisory committee
    • Body Image Coalition
    • Boys' and Girls' Club Youth Council
    • “Caring For Our Youth" Task Force
    • City Youth Council
    • Clean City Youth Ambassadors
    • Community Improvement Task Force
    • Community Strategy Plan identifies youth and outlines expected results
    • Cultural Advisory committee
    • Downtown Youth Council represents youth on City Council
    • EMO local training board has a youth director position
    • Gay-straight Alliance
    • Hospital “Youth Cares” Committee
    • Leisure Time Survey identified youth opportunities within the city
    • Local channel 10 news, by youth for youth
    • Local union – CAW has a youth member
    • Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council
    • Mayors Youth Team
    • Monthly newsletter advertises youth events
    • Neighbourhood Youth in Change develop and run programs for youth in their neighbourhood
    • Newspaper column for student reporters
    • Newspaper produces a weekly teen page feature that focuses on youth subjects
    • Ontario Young Liberals
    • organization
    • Police events
    • Race Relations Committee Youth Members
    • Safe City Youth Group
    • School Board Student Senate and Student Trustees
    • Skate Park Association
    • “Speak up” newsletter
    • Student Council through school system (both elementary and high school)
    • Student Councillor on Municipal Council
    • Student input on new skate park
    • Student-run newspaper
    • Students Promoting The Arts (SPTA)
    • Teen Activity Council
    • Teen Library Council
    • United Way Leadership Course
    • York Region’s Pathways Home Base - a drop-in centre for homeless and at-risk youth
    • Young Leaders on Board Program gives youth an opportunity to volunteer as a board member for a not-for-profit
    • Young Women's Group
    • Youth Action Committee addresses recreational issues affecting youth and organizes events for youth
    • Youth advisory group for bullying prevention
    • Youth Anti-Racism Network
    • Youth are invited to speak at public open houses
    • Youth Associations
    • Youth employed by local community centre
    • Youth Needs Assessment
    • “Youth Perspective” column appears in newspaper written by youth for youth
    • Youth Reporter for local newspaper
    • Youth representative sits on City Council
    • Youth representative sits on the Cambridge Centre for the Arts Guild
    • Youth Services Coalition promotes resources that are available to youth
    • Youth social engagement and action group
    • Youth Steering Committee
    • Youth voice Against Poverty
  3. Facilities are dedicated to youth play.
    The community has dedicated public space for youth play programs and/or events. Youth feel a sense of ownership and belonging for these facilities. Dedicated space is not limited to one location, but includes a variety of settings, such as park areas, meeting rooms, sports and arts facilities and social areas. Space may be provided by municipalities, not-for-profit groups, schools, churches, private businesses or service clubs. Space is made available at the times and locations suitable to youth participation.
    • $1/day for use of all community centre facilities
    • Access to community arenas during the Christmas season and community pools during March break
    • All-ages concert venue
    • Arenas
    • Art Gallery
    • Art Studios
    • Baseball Diamonds
    • Baseball Field
    • Basketball Courts
    • Beach Volleyball Courts
    • Billiards Hall
    • Billiards Room for Youth
    • BMX Parks
    • Bocce Courts
    • Boys and Girls Club
    • Calvary Assembly has 3 different youth rooms
    • Centre for new Canadian youth
    • Church offers drop-in basketball on one weeknight to everyone (including non-church members)
    • Coffee house
    • Community Centres
    • Community Gardens
    • Community theatre
    • Computer Lab
    • Cross-Country Ski Trails
    • Dance Studios
    • Darkroom for youth photography club (i.e. Toronto Housing has one dedicated for youth)
    • Driving Range
    • Drop-in Centres (i.e. getReal Centre) - a great idea for a drop in centre, a place for youth to make friends
    • Facilities that offer unstructured play for youth
    • Faith communities provide space for youth
    • Farmer’s market is used for youth activities during March break
    • Fitness Facilities
    • Football Fields
    • Games room (i.e. pool table, ping pong, foosball, air hockey)
    • Golf Course
    • Gym space
    • Harvest Youth Drop-In
    • Hiking Trails
    • Hockey Arenas
    • Ice Surfaces for Hockey and Skating
    • Independent Youth Centres
    • Indoor and outdoor pools
    • Indoor Playground
    • Indoor Rollerblade Park
    • Initiatives have been covered in local newspapers.
    • In-school programs
    • Internet access on computers
    • Library Teen Zone
    • Lunch drop-ins at schools
    • Marina
    • Mini-Putt Park
    • Multi-purpose room for youth (i.e. inside community centres)
    • Multi-Sport Pad
    • Municipal Space/Facilities
    • Musical Theatre
    • Open Space
    • Outdoor Skating Rink
    • Outdoor Stage
    • Outreach Centre
    • Parks and Green Space
    • Picnic areas
    • Profit businesses (i.e. Wonderland, Sports Village, Pavillion)
    • Recreation and Culture Facilities
    • Rockclimbing Wall
    • “Youth Friendly Businesses” recognition program
  4. It is easy for youth to find information about play activities in the community.
    The community has a variety of youth friendly information vehicles, such as websites, newsletters, bulletins, brochures, newspaper advertisements and articles, and community bulletin boards. Municipal services, community agencies, clubs, private businesses, schools and other service providers cooperate to provide easy ways for diverse groups of youth to access this information
    • “Teen Zone” promo campaign
    • A website created and maintained by youth
    • Aboriginal youth guide
    • Activity Guide and Posters
    • Annual Youth Fair for students to gain information about organizations and services available to them
    • Brochures delivered to schools
    • Church Bulletins distributed on Sunday mornings
    • City's website has a section dedicated to youth
    • Community bulletin boards to post information
    • Community calendar to each household
    • Community centre newsletter
    • Community registration night for youth activities
    • Customer service kiosk in the malls hand out fliers geared towards youth
    • Door-to-door distribution of program flyers and newsletters
    • Encouraging youth to assist in the designing of flyers for community events
    • Facebook group
    • Fliers and posters posted in recreation facilities, libraries and distributed through schools
    • Getting youth involved with the events is a great way to spread the word
    • Handbills and posters
    • High school allows for announcements
    • High school youth Podcast
    • Job and Volunteer Fairs
    • Leisure Guides distributed to all households and available online
    • Local business involvement in community events
    • Local fairs and workshops advertise upcoming opportunities
    • Local media report on youth events
    • Local newspaper includes youth content
    • Monthly Activity Calendar
    • Monthly school advertisements
    • Newsletters
    • Newspaper dedicates a section for weekly activity announcements for free
    • Outdoor Signs
    • Partnerships to promote and ensure that youth are aware of what is offered
    • Public Displays
    • Quarterly youth newsletter- great tool to get information out to local youth
    • Radio coverage
    • Schools distribute flyers and notices about youth-related events and activities
    • Teen Issues, a newspaper printed quarterly for youth
    • Use of the local school guidance departments or bulletin boards
    • Youth Blogs
    • Youth Centre Newsletter
    • Youth dedicated website – it is easy to use and youth friendly
    • Youth Domain on news site
    • Youth event promotional signage
    • Youth focused radio station
    • Youth input on advertising campaign for free youth services
    • Youth programming staff liaisons with schools to spread info
    • Youth-run magazine
  5. The community supports public youth events.
    The community ensures youth events, such as celebrations, dances and tournaments are regularly planned. Community groups and departments, such as health, police, recreation, culture, service clubs, and accessibility groups work together to organize and support events. Through outreach and networking, the community involves isolated and disenfranchised youth to ensure they feel connected.
    • Annual 6x1 Relay Race
    • Annual Cross River Swim
    • Annual Golf Tournament
    • Annual Triathalon
    • Anti-Violence art show
    • Art Festival
    • Art Murals
    • Band Nights
    • Battle of the Bands
    • Bingo Day
    • Black History Month
    • Breakdancing competitions
    • Buskerfest
    • Calvary Assembly attends events to be involved
    • Children's Water Festival - youth learn about the importance and diversity of water
    • Community hosts various tournaments (i.e. Basketball and Badminton Tournaments)
    • Culture Shock” multicultural talent show
    • Dodgeball tournament
    • Drama Festival
    • Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Fishing Festival - youth catch elusive trout from the shores
    • First Nations “Gathering”
    • Girl Power Conference
    • Global Youth Day
    • Great mix of support from different organizations in the community
    • Haunted House
    • HempFest
    • Holistic Healing Week
    • Intergenerational conference
    • International Stand up to Bullying Week
    • International Youth Week
    • Junior Golf Tournament
    • Kids of Steel Triathalon
    • Local high schools run events
    • March Break Madness
    • March Break Road Hockey Tour
    • Mayor annually proclaims first week of May as “Youth Week”
    • Media support as are lots of multi-sectors (i.e. 2for1 bus during March Break for youth)
    • Minor sporting events
    • Music Fest
    • Neighbourhood Youth Events (i.e. Cultural Idol)
    • New Year’s Eve event
    • Pageant and model search
    • Police Department and MADD
    • Pre- and Post-Youth Week events
    • Ribfest
    • Scrap Metal Drive at Youth Centre
    • Senior Prom
    • Series of FREE youth events
    • Skateboard Competitions
    • Smoke Free Fall Festival
    • Snooker League Night
    • Student Shakespeare Festival
    • Summer Student Appreciation Day
    • Talent Shows
    • Terry Fox Run
    • Tim Horton’s Earn-a-Bike Program
    • Tournaments
    • Wheels safety program
    • “Wii” games day
    • Winter Carnival
    • World Youth Day
    • Youth art show
    • Youth Awards Celebration
    • Youth Concerts
    • Youth Conference
    • Youth Council Art Show
    • Youth events run by faith groups
    • Youth poster design contest
    • Youth Summit
    • Youth Symposium
  6. The community celebrates and recognizes its youth.
    The community offers youth awards and/or scholarship programs to recognize youth participation and contributions. This recognition can be for youth only (e.g. during a “youth week”) or can be part of a broader community recognition program.
    • Annual Art Show
    • Aquatics Awards
    • Articles in the local papers
    • Athlete of the Week article
    • Awards for personal achievements
    • “Awesome Kids” Awards
    • Bursaries
    • Business Enterprise Youth Program - business plan challenge and summer company
    • Chief Scout Award
    • Citizen Awards
    • Civic Awards
    • Community Builders Awards of Excellence
    • Community Involvement Awards
    • Exceptional youth awards
    • Friend of Friend Awards
    • Future Shop Future Leader Award
    • Graffiti art exhibit
    • Instructor Profiles
    • Involvement of local business or school system
    • Junior Citizen of the Year
    • Male and Female Athlete of the Year
    • Mayors Youth Award
    • Merit and Special Awards
    • Newspaper publishes 12 page package to showcase great youth
    • Ontario Drama Festival Awards
    • Ontario Youth Achievement Awards
    • Parades for championship sports teams
    • Poetry contests
    • Poshtar Awards of Excellence
    • “Professional Smiley Person” customer service award
    • Recognizes Youth Week Youth Volunteers
    • Scholarships
    • School Student Awards for Attendance, Athletics, and Student of the Month
    • Science Fair
    • Several recognition programs from arts, sports and dance
    • Sports Champions Award Program
    • Sports Hall of Fame
    • Student Exchange program
    • TD Canada Trust Awards
    • Televised council recognition of youth council
    • Top Achiever (Air Cadets)
    • Volunteer Achievement Award
    • Volunteer and Citizen Achievement Awards
    • Volunteer of the Year
    • Volunteer Recognition
    • Volunteer Spotlight
    • Weekly newspaper with a dedicated youth section
    • Wendy’s scholarships for students
    • “X Awards” for extra-curricular contributions
    • Years of Service Awards
    • YMCA Intern Scholarship
    • YMCA Peace medal
    • Young leaders in services awards for youth who volunteer
    • Youth Achievement Awards
    • Youth Arts Award
    • Youth leadership awards
    • Youth of the Month Award
    • Youth Shelter and Success in Schools
    • Youth Spirit Award
    • Youth Volunteer of the Year
    • Youth who speak at council meetings are recognized with letters from mayor
    • Youth writing contest
  7. The community commits funding for youth play.
    The community has established a fund that is accessible to organizations and/or directly to youth to help offset the cost of youth involvement in local activities. This funding opportunity is well known to groups who work with youth in the community and it is promoted through these groups and through the school system. Systems are in place to help youth to also regularly access these funds. Some youth play programs are free or have minimal costs. The community commits funding for current and long-term capital for diverse facility development and improvement, such as indoor/outdoor parks, skate parks, creative arts spaces, dance studios and/or drop in centres.
    • A wide range of sectors are active in creating funds for youth (i.e. Tim Horton’s sponsors free public skating)
    • Access to Recreation subsidy for municipality
    • Bell Canada partnered with Festival of Lights display, which was built by youth
    • Businesses sponsor sports teams
    • Can We Help
    • Centre supports youth entrepreneurship with Summer Company Program
    • City council allocated part of budget to build mobile skate park
    • City subsidizes costs for recreational programs for youth
    • Community budget has allocated money youth and youth services
    • Community Centre expansion project
    • Community fund (i.e. Milton Community Fund) – funding for lots of programs
    • Community partnerships with Boston Pizza
    • Cooperation with schools
    • Do It Yourself funding program
    • Dollars for subsidy increasing every year
    • Drop-in program cost of $4 for youth, or $20 for membership
    • Eco-Schools grant
    • Federal Funding – National Child benefit
    • Forum on Youth Resiliency
    • Free of charge activities available for all
    • Free skates
    • Free special events for youth ($15,000 budgeted)
    • Full community centre access for $1 a day for youth
    • Funding for development of community youth strategy
    • Fundraising for skate park
    • Grants available for youth to apply to
    • “Grants for Groups” allows non-profit groups a chance to apply for funds
    • Jumpstart
    • KidSport
    • Large budget within the city to support youth programs and events
    • Lots of support for sports population (i.e. free skate, jump start)
    • Minimal fees charged through recreation department
    • Municipal funding dedicated to youth play
    • Municipal funds for free youth events planned by youth
    • Municipality asks $10/year rent from youth centre
    • National Child Benefit funding
    • Neighbourhood associations receive annual grant dedicated to developing recreational opportunities for youth
    • Non-Profit Groups can apply for funds (i.e. through "Grants to Groups")
    • Not-for-profit support from the community
    • Offer programs and facilities for youth at little or no cost
    • Optimist club funding
    • Prom Dress Initiative
    • Some programs are free
    • Space donations
    • Sponsors or partners help with funding
    • Subsidized arts programs
    • Subsidized sporting programs
    • Subsidized theatre tickets for youth
    • Subsidized transportation to community centre
    • The community has committed significant funding for youth involvement and engagement
    • The community has made youth an issue and that is evident through the budget
    • There are some subsidy programs
    • There is a membership fee to belong to the recreation centre
    • True Sport
    • YMCA subsidies
    • YMCA Wish upon a star
    • Youth Centre has Free Services
    • Youth Council: Cities in Bloom
    • Youth Needs Assessment
    • Youth Support Task Force
    • YWCA subsidies
  8. The community supports positive youth development.
    Staff and volunteers of youth service providers are offered opportunities, and are actively encouraged to participate in orientation and training sessions on positive youth development. Staff and volunteers are recognized for their work as positive role models and mentors of youth.
    • “40 assets” campaign in paper
    • Aboriginal Youth Empowerment Program
    • Adventures in Leadership
    • Agriculture Society
    • ASIST Suicide intervention training
    • Attendance at MBA Symposium
    • Babysitting Certification
    • Boat Operator Accredited Training
    • Book Club
    • Breakfast Club Program
    • “Champions for Youth” mentor program for at-risk youth
    • Counselling -In-Training Programs
    • Counselling services
    • ESL conversation circle
    • Evidence of many community activities and initiatives run in part or whole by youth
    • First Aid and CPR Training
    • Go Girls mentoring program
    • High Five Training (training for youth staff)
    • Homework Club
    • Horticulture Society
    • Individual neighbourhoods support youth in the community
    • Intentional Youth Development workshop
    • Intergenerational conference
    • Junior Achievement
    • Junior Farmers
    • Junior Integration Services (J.I.S.)
    • Leadership camps
    • Leadership-In-Training Program
    • Lifeguard Certification
    • MBA participation
    • National Coaching Certification
    • Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training
    • Pen Pal Program
    • Police and other agencies are involved with youth in the community
    • Police Youth Programs
    • Police Youth Training – offered to staff and volunteers
    • Professional development for staff – including many areas
    • Programming based on 40 Assets of Youth Development
    • Recognize the roles of staff and volunteers great way to encourage others to join
    • Red Cross Certification
    • Residential Program
    • Schools: Character Education
    • St. John Ambulance Certification
    • Street-involved youth mural
    • Swim Instructor Certification
    • Teen Education and Motherhood
    • Teen Health Clinic
    • Teen Library Advisory Committee
    • “Teenage Brain” workshop for parents
    • Training for other agency/department staff/volunteers in being youth friendly
    • Training for youth development staff
    • United Way training programs for working with youth
    • Use of Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets for Youth
    • Volunteer contributions are recognized annually
    • Volunteer Fair
    • “You Need to Know” youth workshops for guardians
    • Young adult management
    • Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
    • Youth Assisting Youth - mathches volunteers with at-risk youth
    • Youth Awards
    • Youth Council
    • Youth development training banquet
    • Youth Employment Service
    • Youth engagement strategy
    • Youth Gambling Program
    • Youth Group Salvation Army
    • Youth housing program
    • Youth initiative funding
    • Youth Leadership Program
    • Youth Ministry
    • Youth Resilience Forum
    • Youth Services Coalition
    • Youth Speak
    • Youth Summit
    • Youth Support Task Force
    • Youth Symposium Discussion Groups brings together youth workers from religious ministries, service clubs, youth organizations and community leaders
  9. The community supports youth volunteerism and leadership development.
    The community recognizes the connection between youth volunteerism and leadership development. Older children are sought out to fill junior leadership roles in sports clubs, youth groups, day camps and/or faith groups. There are systems to help youth get connected to volunteer opportunities, and youth are familiar with these systems and can access them. Appropriate training about volunteerism and leadership is provided for youth. The community has programs to recognize the efforts of youth leaders and volunteers.
    • 30-Hour Famine
    • Aboriginal Youth Empowerment program
    • Active volunteer coordinator – great idea to get the word out
    • Adventures in Leadership
    • Aquatic Leadership Certification
    • Aquatics and coaching certification
    • Army Cadets
    • Assistant Counsellor Program
    • Be Heard Conference
    • Big Brothers and Sisters tutoring
    • Caring for our youth task force
    • Church Youth Group
    • Community Connection – student assistance program
    • Community groups offer youth volunteer opportunities
    • Community Service Fair
    • Community Youth Coalition
    • Counsellor-In-Training programs
    • Go Girls mentoring program
    • Junior Integration Services (J.I.S)
    • Leader Corps
    • Leadership Conference
    • Leadership opportunities though municipality and other groups (i.e. gymnastics club)
    • Leadership Workshop
    • Leaders-In-Training
    • Local faith and community groups as well as government, police, housing co-op, social services and health all appear to be working to provide opportunity for all the youth in this community.
    • Local Farm takes on new youth volunteers regularly to enhance their skills
    • Many committees on which youth can volunteer
    • Motivational speakers for youth
    • Multicultural Council
    • Newmarket Connections community Information & Volunteer Centre
    • Partnerships create more opportunities for youth to volunteer around the city
    • Peer Helpers program
    • POSSE (Peer Outreach Support Services and Education)
    • Recreation Committee
    • Select locations provide workshops for volunteers
    • Several Volunteer opportunities
    • Several youth centres though the city that look at volunteerism and leadership opportunities for youth in London
    • Skateboard instruction and coaching development
    • Special needs volunteer opportunities
    • Sporting Volunteering opportunity
    • St. Johns Ambulance Certification
    • Teen Advisory Group
    • Teen Library Council
    • Teen Mentors
    • The YMCA offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities
    • Training for youth volunteers in peer helping program
    • Various agencies have volunteer opportunities and are promoted by internet, newspaper and postings in the community
    • Volunteer Booklet
    • Volunteer Fair
    • “Volunteer Info” on website
    • Volunteer Orientations
    • Volunteer pamphlet for youth available at library
    • Volunteer recognition
    • Volunteer Resource Centre
    • Volunteer Services Coordinator is very active in community
    • YMCA Program
    • YMCA Youth Leadership Program
    • Young Leaders On Board Program
    • Youth Action Committee
    • Youth Cabinet
    • Youth Career and Volunteer Fair
    • Youth Council – recruits youth to help out with youth dances, special events, meetings and workshps
    • Youth Council Developed "Leadership Day"
    • Youth Education and Safety Team
    • Youth Empowering Youth conference
    • Youth Forum on Violence
    • Youth Leadership Development Council
    • Youth Leadership Program
    • Youth Mentoring Program
    • Youth opportunities to coach or referee
    • Youth Outreach Program
    • Youth Outreach Program
    • Youth Symposium
    • Youth Technology Learning Centre – connects youth to volunteer opportunities
    • Youth volunteer coaches for sports
    • Youth Volunteer Opportunities
    • Youth Workshops
  10. The community has effective community partnerships.
    Local government departments work cooperatively with each other and with community groups to provide the best menu of opportunities for youth play. Specific attention is given to the needs of hard-to-reach, isolated, vulnerable and disenfranchised youth. Community partners include not-for-profit agencies, cultural groups, housing cooperatives, youth associations, sports clubs, arts groups, justice, social services, the faith community, private business, health, and education.
    • Canadian Tire - Jumpstart Program
    • Children's Aid Society
    • Committee with representatives for youth service providers committed to children and youth
    • Community Arts Network
    • Community Bullying Coalition
    • Community Centres
    • Community development officers who work to implement and evaluate play opportunities for youth
    • Community Partners (i.e. Health Unit)
    • Community roundtable led to community action plan on physical activity
    • Community Use of Schools agreement
    • Community Youth Coalition (40 youth service organizations)
    • Corporate sponsorships (i.e.CIBC, Shell Canada, TD Canada Trust and Rogers Cable
    • Council meetings held for youth
    • Cultural Clubs
    • E.S.P. - Empowered Student Partnerships - youth development partnerships between police and school board
    • Events co-organized and funded by local businesses
    • Faith Groups
    • Family Centres
    • Fusion Youth Activity Centre
    • Future Shop Awards
    • Government
    • Health Unit
    • Healthy Living Coalition
    • High Schools
    • Local agencies partner with each other
    • Local business
    • Local Churches
    • Local Libraries
    • Many sectors represented (i.e. Downtown Clean Sweep, Fall Community Graffitti Blitz)
    • Neighbourhood Associations
    • One-on-one partnerships
    • Parks and Recreation
    • Partnerships with faith communities, government and Board of Education
    • Partnerships with local schools
    • Partnerships with private businesses, post-secondary institutions, school boards and police force
    • Police partnerships – youth officer and youth detective are involved with local schools, and work with Youth Council
    • Police Youth Corps.
    • Recreation Department
    • School Boards
    • Schools use community centres for high school sports
    • Special Olympic Groups
    • Steering committee for Youth – they meet to network and plan youth events
    • Street Involved Youth Network
    • The Municipality
    • United Way
    • Youth Action Committee
    • Youth Centre
    • Youth Council
    • Youth Engagement Network has bi-weekly lunches for youth workers
    • Youth Health Centre collaboration
    • Youth Net- mental health coalition
    • Youth Roots- committee of community members committed to youth
    • Youth Week Committee
  11. Youth activism and advocacy for play is nurtured.
    The community ensures that youth actively participate in program and service planning, promotion, implementation and evaluation. Youth efforts to actively speak out and advocate for their needs are supported by the community and the local media.
    • AIDS committee
    • Annual Youth Weekend Fest
    • Anti-bullying Coalition
    • Anti-smoking youth group
    • Businesses partner up with the City and local Neighbourhood Associations
    • Community Power Assemblies
    • Evidence of youth activisim is recorded in public space (e.g. newspaper, website, minutes of meetings, etc.)
    • Future Leaders event
    • Gay-Straight Alliance
    • Intergenerational Program (amazing race)
    • Library teen advisory group
    • Mayor hosts Youth Forum
    • Mayor’s Task Force on community safety
    • Media show
    • Panel discussion
    • Petition for new skate park
    • Public mural proposed by youth
    • Race Relations Committee has youth sub-committee
    • Red Cross Humanitarian Group
    • Skateboard Coalition
    • Student school trustees
    • Suggestion Boxes
    • Surveys regarding youth needs
    • Taking it Global
    • Targets main youth area and grows on their ideas
    • Teen Tobacco Summit
    • Youth Action Committee – provide recommendations on programs and services
    • Youth Advisory Council
    • Youth Arts Against Violence
    • Youth attend meetings and make deputations to council
    • Youth Business Plan
    • “Youth Can Move the World” symposium
    • Youth completed surveys
    • Youth Council ‘s Leadership days
    • Youth Councillor - represents youth at City Council meetings
    • Youth drop-in workshops and information sessions
    • “Youth Engagement and Action” group
    • Youth focus groups: “YOUth Speak”
    • Youth Leaders on Board Program - youth volunteer to sit on the Board of a not-for-profit organization
    • Youth recycling initiative in school
    • Youth Spaces
    • Youth Voice Against Poverty
    • Youth Week Flag Raising
    • Youth2Youth forum
  12. Youth feel comfortable in their own community.
    The community encourages businesses, recreation centres, malls, theatres and other locations to understand the needs of youth and works to recognize and engage youth as contributing citizens within the community. Spaces are promoted as ‘youth friendly,’ and youth are provided opportunities to interact with others in a positive and mutually respectful way. Staff who work in facilities where youth play receive an orientation about the needs and interests of youth, and how to build positive adult/youth partnerships.
    • All-ages concerts
    • Block Parent Program
    • Bridge for Youth
    • Businesses practice “10 attributes of character”
    • Community Power Assemblies
    • Concession booth entrepreneurial position given to youth in community each year
    • Drop-in Programs
    • Intergenerational Program (amazing race)
    • Library has a teen advisory group
    • Many programs are in centralized areas so that youth can walk
    • Mayor’s Task Force on community safety
    • No double standard (e.g. one set of rules for youth, another for adults
    • Offer a variety of youth friendly locations with different programs
    • Offers competitive sports and non-organized activities
    • Programs that target at-risk youth
    • Provides outreach to youth and youth friendly activities
    • Services for new Canadian youth at multilingual youth centre
    • Skateboards are recognized as safe on the sidewalks
    • Student-made DVD with testimonials
    • Support training programs for staff to become “youth friendly”
    • Teen driving challenge – helps to promote safe driving
    • The Youth Centre always has activities running for youth
    • The youth centre is a safe place youth can go, open 6 days a week
    • They separate the time so that older youth have the centre to themselves after 6pm
    • Transit; special school route – recreation facilities are on the bus routes
    • Volunteering opportunities
    • Website dedicated to videos, message board expressing why people love their community
    • YMCA Youth Training Room
    • Youth are invited and welcome to participate at centres and on councils throughout the city
    • Youth are respected at public facilities
    • Youth are welcomed at places of business (e.g. no signs limiting number of students or students having to leave bags at the door)
    • Youth centre has a separate time where older youth have the centre to themselves (i.e. after 6pm)
    • Youth Centre Program Rules for the protection of all participants
    • Youth Employment Services
    • “Youth Friendly Businesses” recognition program
    • Youth have dedicated spaces to play
    • Youth Help Line
    • Youth involvement is recognized as being beneficial
  13. Youth can get to the play programs that are offered.
    The community has explored innovative ways to physically connect youth with play opportunities. Examples include: responsive transit systems with routes to dedicated youth play spaces, and that operate on days and times to maximize participation by youth; lighted bike paths and/or bike lanes on major roads; and mobile outreach into isolated areas. Activities have been specifically located or relocated to be closer to youth and to increase access for youth.
    • 25 cent bus fare for youth
    • Active and Safe Routes to School program promotes safe walking to and from school
    • After-school programs offered by community organizations include transportation
    • Bus routes map showing schools and how to get to them
    • Bus to ski resorts
    • Community centres are accessible by walking
    • Extensive bike paths
    • “Flag the Bus” service for popular routes that serve youth
    • Free bus from rural area to community centre
    • Free bus service for events and volunteers
    • Free bussing program
    • Free shuttle to youth centre
    • Friendly bike and walking paths and paved multi-use pathways for cycling, rollerblading, running, etc.
    • In-school programming
    • Late school bus for youth involved in extra-curricular activities
    • Location of the centres are accessible
    • Many programs are in centralized areas so that youth can walk
    • Neighbourhood resource centres within 1 km from at least two area schools
    • Paved, multi-use pathway
    • Permission forms are required for any out of town trips
    • Programming at schools at lunch and after school
    • Programs pre-arrange means of transportation for participants
    • Public transit has student rates available
    • Shuttle for special events
    • Sidewalks and trails permit skateboards
    • Student bus passes
    • Taxi Service partnership allows travel within the city for no more then $5 (i.e. Ingersoll initiative)
    • Teen driving challenge – helps to promote safe driving
    • Teen drop in centres within neighbourhoods
    • The transit system provides subsidies for students
    • The Youth Centre has a 15 passenger van which provides pick-up and drop-off from specific programs
    • Trail, sidewalks and bike paths are available in most areas
    • Transit; special school route – recreation facilities are on the bus routes
    • Transportation being arranged by the location itself
    • Transportation vouchers available at youth centre
    • Very efficient locations for access
    • Youth centre is located in a central area so it is easy to attend
    • Youth Centre provides transit tickets
    •  
  14. Schools support the youth friendly approach.
    The community works with schools to recognize and capitalize on the important role of schools in getting information from the community to youth. Schools work with local service providers to help create a network between the school, the community and opportunities for youth play. In some cases school boards have a signed funding agreement with the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation regarding the community use of schools.
    • After School Programs
    • Anti-Bullying Committee
    • Booths for community partners to promote youth-friendly services
    • Champions for Youth program identifies students who may be at-risk of dropping out of school and matches these students with community mentors
    • City culture and recreation supervisor meets with school principals
    • Community mentor program
    • Community use of schools agreement
    • Contract agreements with the school board
    • Drop-in programs
    • Free school based drop-ins to be run year round
    • Health Supporting Schools
    • “High Skills” special focus program for high school students
    • “Link Crew” helps students transition in freshman year
    • Lunch hour fitness opportunities
    • Mentoring program for youth (i.e. Go Girls program)
    • Mentoring programs in the schools
    • Municipal staff and teacher relationships
    • Newsletter sharing information about community
    • OPP Involvement
    • Partnership with Big Brothers and Sisters
    • Partnership with community theatre
    • Partnerships with School Boards
    • Principles of “Character Education”
    • Programming for Aboriginal students
    • Recreation position within the board
    • Scholarships offered by community organizations
    • School boards include youth in decision making
    • School Graffiti clean-up
    • School hosts conferences
    • School staff are involved in youth activities outside of school
    • Schools distribute promo material
    • Schools encourage volunteering
    • Schools outreach into the community to engage youth in extra-curricular activities
    • Schools will distribute fliers that are related to youth programming
    • Schools work with community agencies to provide more programs in schools and to reach out to youth
    • Shared outdoor space
    • Sports programs in conjunction with local sports clubs
    • Staff involvement with in youth programs
    • Student Councils
    • Students promoting safe schools
    • Students sit on the school board of trustees
    • Subsidized programs for youth who cannot afford trips, excursions and after school programs
    • Subsidized swimming program through municipality
    • There are formalized contractual arrangement with schools for community access to these facilities
    • There is information for students on the schools’ web sites
    • Workshops by community partners
    • Youth Coalition: access to schools
    • Youth speak at assemblies
    • Youth Technology Learning Centre helps with homework
  15. Adults champion the need for youth play.
    The community has adult leaders who recognize the need for positive youth play. They publicly support youth by ensuring elected officials, police, local celebrities and media are involved in local youth events. For their part, youth regularly share their experiences of positive play with adults and at adult-led events, such as service club meetings, school board sessions, annual general meetings and professional association meetings.
    •  Adult groups fundraising for youth opportunities
    •  Adult volunteers
    • Adult/Youth Forum runs during youth week
    • All youth councils have dedicated adult mentors
    • City Councillor assigned to Youth Council
    • City councillor on youth council
    • Coaches 
    • Committee for youth
    • Community Access to Schools initiative - each high school has an adult advisor on their student council
    • Community Living North Halton staff take special needs youth to thank service clubs for donations
    • Community relations officer - works to maintain strong connection with community youth
    • Cultural and civic leaders help with youth issues
    • Elected officials, police and the media support the area’s youth.
    • Endorsements of adult champions by community youth
    • Faith community represents the interests and needs of youth
    • Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee
    • Mayor’s Youth Forum
    • Media attends all youth events, takes photos and documents activities in the news
    • Municipal Council Support (two members of council attend all Youth Action Committee meetings)
    • Municipal support of youth events
    • Outreach workers
    • Parent volunteers
    • Police
    • Religious groups committed to youth
    • Service club volunteers
    • Sporting Groups
    • Student Council Staff Advisors
    • Student Trustees - act as liason between the school community and the Boards
    • Summer Company program supports youth entrepreneurship
    • Teachers at high schools
    • Teen Advisory Group for library
    • Year of the Youth
    • Youth component in all family or city events
    • Youth Council Staff Advisors
    • Youth help at events and meetings
    • Youth initiatives are supported
    • Youth outreach workers
    • Youth Program Coordinator in Department of Parks and Recreation
    • Youth program leader
    • Youth reps sit on various agency “adult” Boards and provide their input
    • Youth sit at board and general meetings
    • Youth Support Task Force
    • Youth work with police
    • Youth-run magazine
  16. Play is inclusive.
    Every youth in the community should has the opportunity to participate in programs, if they want to. Programs are set up to specifically include youth with both physical and mental disabilities. Activities are adapted, facilities are accessible, additional assistance is onsite, and the participation of youth with disabilities is a seamless part of the program. Youth with disabilities are part of program planning
    • 1:1 support
    • Abilities Centre
    • Access Awareness Week - educating the community on issues related to disabilities
    • Accessibility committee helps ensure centre where programs are offered are accessible
    • Accessibility plan
    • Accessible facilities, playgrounds and recreation programs
    • Adaptive ski program
    • Bowling for participants in wheelchairs
    • Bus service
    • City receives funding for sports equipment purchases
    • Computer lab program
    • Cooking program
    • Curling and Fishing events
    • Currently building accessible playgrounds
    • Door to Door service with transit
    • Education assistants for community centre camps, programs
    • Every Kid counts program—partnership with community to integrate disabled youth into play opportunities.
    • Facilities are designed with full accessibility
    • Floor Hockey
    • for people with special needs
    • Free clinic for wheelchair users to have equipment checked
    • Fully accessible park (numerous recreation support)
    • Fundraiser for accessible playground
    • Horseback riding for disabled youth
    • Integrated sledge hockey
    • Joint Accessibility Plan
    • Kids in Camp
    • Learning Disabilities Youth Group
    • Leisure Buddies
    • Lifts, ramps, automatic doors, grab bars and elevators assist youth with disabilities in accessing facilities
    • Offer events and teams for those with disabilities to join
    • “Our Special Place” room for youth with disabilities
    • Out and About program for disabled teens
    • Outreach worker helping youth with disabilities at play
    • Partnership with Special Olympics to offer competitive sports for disabled youth
    • Personal Attendant for Leisure (PAL) card
    • Program specifically for youth with disabilities (i.e. ActOUT, Best Buddies)
    • Recreation Directory for people with disabilities
    • Residential camp for youth with disabilities
    • Special Needs Book Club
    • Special needs bowling
    • Special Needs Camp
    • Special Needs Hockey Club
    • Special Needs Sports Camp
    • Special Needs Yoga
    • Special Olympics
    • Summer camps (i.e. Community Living North Halton)
    • Summer Day Camps
    • Transit Mobility Plus - Door to door transportation service for persons with special needs
    • Wheelchair Athletics
    • Wheelchair Basketball
    • WindReach Farm is a fully accessible farm where they focus on recreation, education and work experience
    • Youth Council
    • Youth group for youth with disabilities
    • Youth programs are inclusive to those with disabilities