YMCA and 21inc. join forces
This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on January 26th, 2010.
The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:
In an effort to help propel the city’s future leaders on the road to success, local participants from the province’s 21 Leaders for the 21st Century program have joined with the Saint John YMCA-YWCA to help identify new ways to get youth involved at the Y.
The Saint John project team has chosen to evaluate youth engagement at the Saint John Y in an effort to help increase programming options and participation. It is one of a number of community projects being led by 21inc. participants across the province,
“We selected the Y because we were interested in the project they proposed to us to work on youth engagement, and because of the increasing leadership role they play in being an inclusive organization, open to all regardless of social or economic background,” says Eric Savoie of the decision to work with the Y on this initiative. Savoie is a member of the project team, which also includes Christina Taylor, Janet Thompson-Price and Scott Walton.
The 21inc. program is a leadership program for New Brunswick young people aged 20 to 35. During the 10-month program, participants are encouraged to make a positive impact on their community.
As part of this initiative, the Saint John project team has developed an online survey and is seeking feedback from young people and parents in Greater Saint John. The aim of the survey is to collect information and input on topics related to youth programming at the Y, ranging.
“We believe the 21inc. team will help us connect in new innovative ways with youth,” said Shilo Boucher, chief operating officer at the Saint John YMCA-YWCA. “We want to better understand their needs, allowing an opportunity for them to help us design new programs.”
Survey findings will be presented this spring to Saint John Y management, who will determine the next steps based on the recommendations and resources available for implementation.
Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtpr.ca.
