Youth, young adults, and young families are all vital to vibrant and healthy rural communities.
A new local initiative is aiming to gain a better understanding of the “push” and “pull” factors that influence youth and young adults to leave, remain or come back to the communities where they grew up.
Project Comeback Quesnel (PCQ) wants to know what matters to local young people in their decisions on where to live and how to ensure those factors become priorities in community planning.
The project is a collaboration between the City of Quesnel, B.C. Rural Network and the Fraser Basin Council.
This is important as many rural communities face the twin demographic trends of youth out migration and an aging baby boomer population.
Quesnel is focused on becoming a more attractive place for younger citizens to stay and return to.
Quesnel is currently facing challenges, including the recent mill closure and the potential for other changes in industry due to the timber supply, as well as the recent rapid doctor turnover. These topics and others will be explored through this project.
Through youth and community-focused workshops, PCQ will assist the community in understanding youth retention factors and how the community can respond to the needs of its younger citizens and become a place that people continue to want to come (back) to.
Are you between the ages of 16-35?
Have you or someone you know moved away and recently come back to Quesnel?
If so, PCQ wants to hear your story.
To share and get involved or for more information, you can find PCQ on Facebook and Twitter or contact Amanda at adreager@fraserbasin.bc.ca
Project Comeback Quesnel
Many British Columbia rural communities face the twin demographic trends of youth out-migration and an aging baby boomer population.
This presents challenges, including the future leadership and sustainability of local businesses.
PCQ is exploring innovative strategies to encourage youth to stay in or move back to their rural hometowns.
The Project Comeback Initiative has assisted other rural communities in British Columbia to understand youth-retention and to create a plan that addresses the issues identified.
In 2012, five communities across B.C. participated in Project Comeback; Smithers, Williams Lake, Chase, Kaslo, and the Regional District of Mt. Waddington.
These communities identified gaps in connectivity between young adults and local opportunities, both social and economic, as significant to retaining the population.
Each community, with its specific circumstances and project focus, provided a great example for other rural B.C. communities facing similar trends of youth out-migration.
To request more information, share a story or to be involved in the project please, contact Amanda Dreager at adreager@fraserbasin.bc.ca
