October 5, 2015      

 

City Councillor Ron Moeser (Ward 44 Scarborough East), City of Toronto staff and local youth joined members of the City's Youth Space Advisory Committee and local youth organizations today to officially launch the enhanced youth space at Heron Park Community Recreation Centre. 

 

The centre's youth space is a place for youth to connect, create, learn and inspire. The model for the enhanced youth spaces, approved by City Council in 2014, focuses on three components: dedicated space for youth, consistent staff, and programming tailored to youth interests. Examples of some of the programs and workshops offered at the City's youth spaces include Barbering, Learn to DJ, DIY Nail Art, Dominoes Club and Financial Literacy. 

 

"What makes these youth spaces so meaningful is the involvement of youth in their creation," said Councillor James Pasternak (Ward 10 York Centre), Chair of the Community Development and Recreation Committee. "Youth inspire everything from the design of the spaces to the types of programs offered." 

 

"It's amazing to have a place like this for youth in the Heron Park community," said Councillor Moeser. "I encourage all of the local youth to take advantage of this space and everything it has to offer." 

 

The enhanced youth space at Heron Park Community Recreation Centre is the third of seven to officially launch this year. 

 

Youth remain a priority service focus for the City's Parks, Forestry and Recreation division. In addition to youth spaces, Parks, Forestry and Recreation offers registered and drop-in programming for youth at over 130 locations across the city and operates the Youth Outreach Worker Program. Youth outreach workers support youth who face barriers to participation by connecting them with recreation programs, social services and referral agencies that provide housing, employment, health and harm-reduction services. More information about the Youth Outreach Worker Program is available at http://bit.ly/1jvuCro.

 

This news release is also available on the City of Toronto's website at http://ow.ly/T30Yz. 

 

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

 

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Media contact: Cheryl MacDonald, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, 416-873-6086, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.