Greater Sudbury Recognized as Youth Friendly Community
The Play Works Youth Friendly Recognition Program has recognized Greater Sudbury as a Silver Youth Friendly Community Builder. Greater Sudbury is one of seven Ontario communities to be recognized this year for its commitment to investing in youth.
This recognition program aims to encourage communities to support youth in ways that help them feel engaged, valued, and an integral part of daily life. It recognizes the good work the community is doing to become more youth friendly, and provides suggestions regarding additional areas of concentration for the upcoming year.
“Playing is not just about parks and playgrounds,” Mayor Marianne Matichuk said.
“Playing should engage the energy and curiosity of youth, and that’s what the City of Greater Sudbury strives to offer. It’s terrific to see that our dedicated staff and the first-rate facilities and programs they run are being recognized like this,” the Mayor said.
The Play Works recognition is for a five-year period, and is based on 16 criteria. Greater Sudbury has met the following 12 criteria:
- Youth have options for play
- Youth are formally connected to the community
- Facilities are dedicated to youth play
- It is easy for youth to find information about play activities in the community
- The community supports public youth events
- The community celebrates and recognizes youth
- The community commits funding for youth play
- The community has models of effective community partnerships
- Youth activism and advocacy for play is nurtured
- Schools support the youth friendly approach
- Adults champion the cause for youth play
- Play is inclusive
Greater Sudbury has not yet met the remaining four criteria, but will be working to achieve them over the next two years, which would give the community a Gold Level in the recognition program:
- The community supports positive youth development
- The community supports youth volunteerism and leadership development
- Youth feel comfortable in their own community
- Youth can get to the play programs that are offered
The City of Greater Sudbury submitted the application for this recognition program with the support of many individuals and organizations, including City Councillors Jacques Barbeau and Joe Cimino, Greater Sudbury Police Chief Frank Elsner, the Rayside-Balfour Youth Centre, Sudbury and District Health Unit and the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth.
The Play Works Partnership is a group of organizations concerned about the future of Ontario’s youth. The organization represents the areas of sport, physical activity, civic engagement, arts and culture, rural youth, and recreation. The Play Works activities and platform are open to any group, department or agency that shares similar values and wishes to advance the cause for youth play in Ontario.
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Media Contact:
Shannon Dowling, Corporate Communications
City of Greater Sudbury, 705-674-4455, ext. 2539
Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatersudbury
Twitter: @greatersudbury