Did you know the number of youth who reported spending three or more hours per week participating in youth programs such as sports, clubs, or community events in a 2008 Mission high school survey of 2,100 youth was 53 per cent?
Did you know that constructive use of time is an important asset for youth?
This is a great start to youth engagement in Mission! Youth engagement includes the sentiment young people feel towards a particular person, activity, place or outcome. It has been a focus of youth development, public policy and social change movements for at least forty years. There are many different kinds of activities, organizations, and contexts in which engagement can occur: community organizations, youth organizations, music, sports, work/career/employment, school, etc. Check out www.engagmentcentre.ca for more information.
One great way Mission youth can become engaged in their community is to participate in Youth Week programs and activities. This international celebration is held annually during the first week of May. It is a week of fun, interaction and celebration intending to build a strong connection between young people and their communities and to profile the issues, accomplishments and diversity of youth across the province. During BC Youth Week, young people around the world organize and participate in many activities including sporting events, musical performances, art displays, movie nights, random acts of kindness, award ceremonies, community projects displays and more.
Youth Fest takes place here May 5 at the Mission Leisure Centre. A skateboard competition kicks off the event at noon followed by afternoon activities. Check out www.bcyouthweek.com or contact the Mission Youth Lounge youth@mission.ca for more information.
The Did you Know columns focus on results from the 40 Developmental Assets Survey completed in 2008 by 2100 Mission high school youth. 40 Assets: Helping Children and Youth Thrive is a volunteer-based working group in Mission within the District of Mission’s social development program. If you would like to get involved, contact Kirsten Hargreaves, manager of social development at 604-820-3752, or khargreaves@mission.ca, or visit www.search-institute.org.
Community Conversation
Join Amanda Tesluck, Mission Leisure Centre’s Program Coordinator, and Nicole Bliss, youth lounge staff, to learn about getting youth involved in Mission. Children are welcome, snacks and activities will be available.
The event happens April 25, 7 to 8 p.m. Draw prize is a $25 Best Buy gift card.
