Youth Friendly Communities

Is your community one which makes an investment in youth play? If so, then you will want to submit to the 2013 Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program. The Program works to acknowledge the great work that some communities are doing in ensuring their youth (ages 13 - 19) have continuous access to a diversity of 'play' (play being anything a young person does in his/her free time which could include: sport, recreation, drama, dance, music, the arts, volunteerism, leadership development, service leadership and/or civic engagement).

The deadline for application is December 3, 2013. The application form will go online Friday, May 31st. In the interim, please refer to the 2012 application form.

For special information about where Youth Friendly Communities are in the province, what Mentors you can call to help you answering questions on the application process, or examples of youth friendly criteria - find out how to start working on your 2013 community application.

A Youth Friendly Communities Update - 2013

Play Works is pleased to welcome the following recipients of the 2012 Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program. The number of Youth Friendly Communities now totals 42 from across Ontario. These communities represent 41% of Ontario's population so Ontario is well on its way to becoming a Youth Friendly Province!

• City of Belleville 
• Town of Bracebridge 
• City of Vaughan

Representatives from these communities attended a ceremony on Aprll 17th at which The Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, recognized the outstanding efforts of these communities to be Youth Friendly. 

Also recognized on April 17th were the 2011 Youth Friendly Communities.

These communities are:

• Town of Hanover
• Town of Milton
• Town of Richmond Hill
• Town of Whitchurch- Stouffville
• City of Mississauga
• City of Greater Sudbury
• City of Cambridge