Puslinch has found yet another means to get young people involved in the community.
But its proponents are looking for financial support to bring the project to life.
On Jan. 18, councillors heard a presentation by Marty Molengraaf, of Duff’s Presbyterian Church, and youth engagement worker Katie Stewart.
Molengraaf explained, “At Duff’s Church over the past number of years, we’ve been very concerned about youth in the community.”
A number of initiatives were undertaken to engage youth, he said
He said, “Churches are not filled with young people the way they used to be. It’s harder for churches to engage young people and to try to meet the needs of some of the young people. And yet as a church, we recognize that there are concerns that young people in our community do address.”
Molengraaf said the approach is different than a youth group at a church. “It is a community endeavour and Duff’s Church feels strongly about trying to get support for youth in our community. We’re stepping outside of our church and trying to address concerns within the community.”
The church plans to support the initiative in the amount of roughly $10,000 a year, with another $1,000 in program costs.
He cited a recent presentation to the Puslinch Optimist Club, asking it to be partners financially. “We’re asking for consideration of council to do the same and be equal partners in trying to meet the needs of youth in the community.”
Stewart is a formal and trained youth engagement worker and currently works with the YMCA in Guelph.
Molengraaf said Stewart is delighted to take part in a program in the community where she lives. “Right now we have hired [her] for 10 to 12 hours per week.”
Stewart said one youth group has started already with about 10 people, and it continues to grow. She said the current group ranges between 12 and 20 years old.
“The nice thing is that they are taking leadership roles with the younger ones.”
She said, “What we want is to have a youth engagement – a meaningful participation and sustained involvement of a young person in an activity, with a focus outside of him or herself.”
Activities can range from Sports, arts, music, volunteer work, politics, social activism – “and it can occur in almost any kind of setting.”
Steward said it also not just about youth activities. “It’s about going bowling or volunteering in the community.”
She noted not everyone is engaged to the same extent or in the same way. “Not every youth is going to want to stand up and make a presentation … not every youth is into Sports.”
Steward said the program is making sure everyone plays a part “and that we see what they are comfortable doing.”
Stewart added more research is needed to understand the impacts of various activities and what makes engagement meaningful to different youth in different activities.
“I don’t sit there and say this is what we need to do, they decide as a group, what they would like to do. I’m just there basically to help and guide.”
She said, “When we plan activities, it is for things they want to do. If they want to volunteer their time in the community, we decide as a group, with them taking that leadership role.”
Stewart said students involved in extracurricular activities are less likely to drop out. That, she said, is particularly true for youth from poor families and youths with poor social and academic skills.
“These young people were five times less likely to drop out than youth who were not engaged.”
She stressed the importance of community, and providing opportunities for young people.
The group meets weekly on Thursday. “We’re looking for this to be a community thing – for all areas of the township to be involved. It’s great that there is some free time at the recreation centre right now, so we can start organizing some Sports,” Stewart said.
She said even if there are young people not involved in the youth group “please come and join.”
Other priorities are to keep programs operating at low or no cost for youth, increasing the number of activities and providing volunteer opportunities for local events and businesses
She said, “Some of these youth are in high school and looking for volunteer hours and part of this could simply be local businesses opening up the opportunities for young people to volunteer.”
Another opportunity might be for young people to help at the Aberfoyle Fall Fair.
There’s a variety of things where they could help out or provide a leadership role. I just think it would be good if we could all stand together and provide a united front when it comes to supporting our youth.”
Molengraaf said, “We congratulate council and the community for some very fine resources which are present in the community – such as the new recreation facility, the library, the community hall – which are all wonderful places where youth can potentially gather.”
But he sees a lack in programing, especially in winter.
He said the hiring of Stewart is seen as an outreach to the community.
“That is why we feel comfortable asking for partners with in the community to work with us to help fund Katie’s work.”
He said that “$10,000 a year is the bare minimum. It amounts to about $10 an hour. We’re hoping that eventually this could be a full time position – so we are looking at a bare minimum at this point – and trying to get as many partners as possible.
“We hope that you and the Optimist Club will partner with us – and perhaps other interested individuals or organizations.”
Councillor Susan Fielding said, “I was really glad to hear you say that you were trying to think of things for children who are not athletic. Drugs are a big problem in the high schools – so anything that can bring those stats down is a positive thing. I think you are hitting the nail on the head with this. We do need some programmed activities and we’ve been working towards it. We do have excellent Sports organizations, but I think we need to go beyond that.”
She personally felt it important that everyone can take part, “because kids who are disadvantaged need that more than anybody. I think you are heading in the right direction.”
Councillor Wayne Stokley said in his past life, he was a teacher and activity director in a high school. “I know exactly where you’re coming from.”
He said the approach would work.
“If you get them active, they feel much better about themselves and can do something for the community. I think this will be a very valid opportunity.”
He asked how they plan to let people know about the group.
Stewart suggested social media such as Facebook, Twitter, texting, posters, and an information night at the community centre.
Molengraaf advocated making use of traditional media such as the Puslinch Pioneer and the Wellington Advertiser.
He said word is still spreading by word of mouth.
Councillor Ken Roth heard the proposal the week before at an Optimist club meeting.
“But hearing it again makes the idea seem more worthwhile. I think it is such a great idea. I hope you have a huge success.”
Councillor Jerry Schmidt also applauded the foresight in recognizing an area where the community is lacking.
“In a rural environment such as ours, it really doesn’t offer the same opportunities for youth, or the same types of opportunities, found in a larger municipality. If we can find ways and means to provide opportunities for our young people to learn and expand, I can see nothing but positive results for your efforts.”
He saw the only potential handicap as being financial.
Schmidt believed the proposal is modest, and was more than willing to support it.
Molengraaf said he realizes this is just the beginning.
“True youth engagement takes more than 10 hours a week for one worker … But this is a place to start. We’re happy to be a part of the beginning of the whole process.
Mayor Dennis Lever said the local agricultural society is always on the lookout for volunteers.
He said that Puslinch is in the middle of its budget, “so this indeed will be considered along with everything else. Based on what I hear tonight, I’m certain we can work something out.”
