A push to help youth
This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on November 3rd, 2009.
The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:
Vibrant Communities has partnered with the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative (BCAPI) to host a forum today on Saint John youth at risk. The aim is to bring a broad range of people together to examine the issues affecting teenagers at risk of not completing school and develop solutions.
About 130 people from all walks of life will participate in the day-long forum at the UNBSJ Grand Hall on Charlotte Street.
“The reasons that kids fail or succeed are really complex – too complicated for any one group to tackle,” says Wendy MacDermott, of Vibrant Communities Saint John. “If we’re going to revolutionize the way kids are learning, everyone’s got to be involved.”
A presentation on local research and best practices will help provide a framework for developing solutions. A panel of youth will then discuss the challenges they faced in school, followed by group work to brainstorm ways to tackle the issues. “At the end of the day we hope to have a couple things that we can run with,” says MacDermott. “We’re hoping for a priority or two that BCAPI can get behind and move forward.”
The forum will conclude with a business and community mixer, hosted by the Saint John Board of Trade. It will feature a presentation and photos from the forum, and serve as an opportunity for those who weren’t able to participate in the event to learn about what was discussed, the solutions suggested, and opportunities to get involved. “The work that BCAPI is doing to find solutions to help youth out of poverty through education is extremely important. Co-hosting this mixer with them is an opportunity for our members to learn more about this issue and how business can be a part of the solution,” says board president Imelda Gilman.
The mixer takes place from 4:30. to 6 p.m. at the Grand Hall.
All are welcome.
Claire Ryan works with MT&L Public Relations Ltd. and is a member of the FUSION Saint John board. Her column appears on Tuesdays. She can be reached at cryan@mtlpr.ca
