Youth Services Plan 2
Work has started on the next Youth Services Plan! We need your help to guide the outcome of this plan.
You can participate in a:
- Workshop (see below)
- Complete the survey (coming soon!)
- Join the Virtual Youth Team to help guide the process. (e-mail youth@halifax.ca / all meetings are held virtually)
- E-mail/ text your thoughts to us (youth@halifax.ca or text/call 902.233.8129)
WORKSHOP SERIES
Youth Voices: Use your voice to shape your municipality
Join our workshop and use your voice! This workshop series explores what you’d like to see happen in your community and how the municipality can support you. Join us for prizes and tell us what you want to see the municipality do for youth.
Your feedback will directly impact the Municipal Youth Service Plan. The Youth Services Plan informs how municipal services and programs for youth are implemented and improved, and we want youth voices to lead the way. Want your voice to be heard? Join us for a workshop at a location near you:
St Andrew’s Recreation Centre: June 10th, 6-7pm
Stay tuned for more workshops!
These workshops are for youth 13-24. To sign up or for more information please contact youth@halifax.ca or text/call 902.233.8129
Note: All workshop will follow COVID-19 guidelines. Workshops are limited to 8 youth and masks are mandatory
Youth Services Plan 1 (2016-2020)
The Youth Services Plan was created by youth for youth to make sure that municipal programs and services are meeting the needs of the youth aged 13–24.
Information on the actions taken to complete this plan will be shared once it goes to council.
The youth team created the following strategic visions.
1. Recreation positively impacts the mental health and physical well-being of youth. Mental Health is a very important issue for youth, and research supports positive outcomes to youth’s mental health when they participate in physical activity, recreation, and leadership programs.
2. All youth should be able to access recreation services. Low cost, inclusive services serve youth. All youth should be able access services regardless of their academic, cultural, or financial background.
3. The municipality should offer friendly and welcoming environments for youth. Physical spaces need to be friendly and welcoming to youth. A lot of youth stated they have anxiety when entering a recreation facility for the first time. Steps need to be taken to educate staff on youth and youth engagement.
4. Services should be diverse and geared toward youth interests. Some youth feel that they are too old to try new sports or activities. Offering “try it programs” lets youth experience new sports and activities. There should be more opportunities to take “non-standard” art classes, and drop-in programs should offer more than just a single activity.
5. Ensure that all youth are aware of the services offered by the municipality. Marketing and promotion needs to stay ahead of the trends , and youth services should be marketed directly to youth (in addition to parents and guardians). Youth webpage and social media tools are the best way to spread program and service information.
Download the PDF of the Youth Service Plan Summary. It contains the list of goals that will help make the plan come true.
Youth Services Plan 2 (2021-2024)
The first Municipal Youth Service Plan is coming to an end and engagement for the second plan has begun. Stay tuned for ways to participate though workshops, surveys and polls! More information will be updated in April 2021.
How does Halifax define youth?
Youth Services in the municipality works with people aged 13 to 24. For the purposes of the Youth Plan, the team grouped the ages of 13–15, 16–18, and 19–24. There are differences between these age ranges that require specific and intentional services.
Contact Us
For information on the youth plan, please contact Becca Bishop, Youth Section Community Developer supporting the project. Becca can be reached at youth@halifax.ca, 902.233.8129 or on twitter: @hfxyouth