December 14, 2015
A celebration was held today marking the official launch of the enhanced youth space at Native Child and Family Services of Toronto's Native Youth Resource Centre. Participants included Councillor James Pasternak (Ward 10 York Centre), Chair of the Community Development and Recreation Committee; Councillor Mike Layton (Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina), Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee; Kenn Richard, Executive Director of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto; local youth and youth organizations; City staff; and members of the City's Youth Space Advisory Committee.
The celebration included an opening prayer by Alita Sauve, the agency kookum (meaning in-house grandmother) of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, drumming, remarks from a local youth about what the space means to him, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the youth space. The youth space is one of seven across Toronto, and one of two located in partner youth organizations.
"Access to recreation programming and support services for youth are key factors in building healthy communities," said Councillor Pasternak. "This enhanced youth space will be a place for youth to participate in recreation programming and connect with others in the same place they access other support services."
"Building strong partnerships with Aboriginal communities is a priority at the City of Toronto," said Councillor Layton. "It is incumbent on us to work with and for the Aboriginal community to do all we can to ensure a better quality of life for our youth. This is one great step along that path."
The youth space is a place for youth to create, connect, 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 offered at Native Child and Family Services of Toronto's Native Youth Resource Centre youth space include urban photography, sound mixing and recording in the studio and workshops on making traditional drums and dreamcatchers.
"We are delighted to be working in partnership with the City in serving our youth," said Richard. "The youth space program will serve as a hub from which much needed Indigenous youth services can be delivered in a culturally safe, responsive and accountable manner."
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto serves Native families and children in the Toronto area, including First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all those with Aboriginal heritage who choose to be served by the Agency. Its mission is to strive to provide a life of quality, well-being, caring and healing for children and families in Toronto's Native community by creating a services model that is culture-based, respecting the values of Native Peoples, the extended family and the right to self-determination. More information is available at:
http://www.nativechild.org/.
The youth space at the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto's Native Youth Resource Centre is the fifth enhanced youth space to officially launch this year. Youth are a high-priority service focus for the City's Parks, Forestry and Recreation division. In addition to providing 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.
This news release is also available on the City's website: ow.ly/VSvHE
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http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Matthew Cutler, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, 416-560-8726, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
