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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2010-06-01SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 1, 2010 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p. m. Present: Ms. K. Kwiatkowski, Chair Ms. L. Booth, Ms. T. Beaulne, and Messrs. B. Pegg, P. Doherty, D. Pellerin and Superintendent B. Larkin. Ms. S. Franzen was in attendance for part of the meeting. Staff: L. Palubeski, Manager of Program and Resource Services M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs and Services J. Metzger, Crime Prevention Council L. Korabo, Committee Administrator DOWNTOWN STREET OUTREACH PROGRAM UPDATE Mr. Joe Mancini, Director, and Ms. Jennifer Mains, Outreach Co-ordinator, The Working Centre, attended to respond to questions from the Committee regarding the Downtown Street Outreach Program. A full presentation on the Program had been provided to the Committee in December 2009 and a 2010 grant of $16,000. was subsequently approved. At that time, the Committee also requested that an update be provided at today's meeting. Mr. Mancini again circulated statistics detailing the total number of individuals served by the Program and the types of contacts being made. He noted that several members of the Committee had accepted his invitation to tour the St. John's Kitchen to see first-hand how the Program works. Mr. B. Pegg inquired if the number of people considered 'at risk' has lessened given the success of the Program. Ms. Mains advised that more people are being housed but there are always new people added to the 'at risk' category; however, she stated that the number of individuals classified as 'persistently homeless' has decreased. Ms. K. Kwiatkowski observed that she has found the Program staff to be very supportive and accommodating towards the problems /situations of their clients. Given that there appears to be a lot of activity and effort required to assist individuals, she wondered if there was any capacity to increase the work already being done. In response, Ms. Mains advised that anyone in need will be accommodated as the Program is committed to providing flexible care to respond to their clients. She noted that the Region of Waterloo has provided two workers to support approximately 26 clients requiring more labour intensive one-on-one support. In her opinion, the Outreach Program's greatest contribution to the community has been the increased collaboration of various agencies and resources to assist by any means possible. In response to a question concerning the extent of the Outreach Program, Ms. Mains advised that the focus is to assist people in the Downtown area as that is what the funding has been approved to do; however, if an individual in another area of the community is identified as requiring assistance, an Outreach Worker will contact that person and offer assistance. Mr. D. Pellerin passed along concerns recently raised by colleagues wherein it was noted that there appears to be a 'clustering' of social agencies in the Downtown area. Ms. Mains noted that most service is provided at 99 Regina Street South, Waterloo and that other service agencies are distributed in various locations throughout Kitchener. Given this information, Committee members felt this was more of a perception problem than reality. In addition, Mr. Mancini identified the importance of social agencies to the labour market as the Canada Employment Centres no longer exist. Ms. J. Metzger agreed that there has been an increase in collaboration throughout the community but inquired if there have been other discernable shifts in how agencies are now working with respect to individuals needing supports. Ms. Mains advised that there seems to be a greater understanding of the need to outreach to where the people are as opposed to the previously held view that the people come to the agencies. In closing, she commented that the program has become more flexible to meet the changing needs of individuals as they are growing and learning to navigate the supports available to them. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 1, 2010 - 12 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE Mr. B. Pegg provided the update on behalf of D. Pellerin. Mr. Pegg advised that discussions occurred on the King Street Mixed Use Corridor dealing with properties located along King Street between Cedar Street and Rockway Gardens and stretching between Charles Street and Weber Street. Planning includes retail and housing with staff proposing higher density residential developments along this corridor. In addition, the City is looking at better usage for 14 parcels of land in the Downtown that are now primarily parking lots. Finally, Mr. Pegg noted that the issue of business attraction raised the notation that there are currently not enough stores for the current and proposed residential population. 3. YOUTH SERVICES STRATEGY As identified in the Committee's current Work Plan under the action of ensuring youth are included and engaged in Downtown development initiatives, the Youth Services Strategy (YSS) as approved by City Council on May 17, 2010, was presented to the Committee. Members were previously provided with an Executive Summary as well as a copy of the Implementation Plan. Ms. L. Palubeski introduced Ms. M. Pender, Youth Co-ordinator who will lead a focus group following an overview of the YSS. Ms. L. Palubeski advised that when young people feel supported by their community, they are more likely to establish long-term roots and make local choices regarding their education, employment and future residence. She then reviewed the objectives and framework of the YSS and indicated that their goal was to develop a program and service delivery model that would serve as a foundation for youth services staff in planning, resource allocation, partnership development and program /service delivery. She noted that barriers to program participation were identified and taken into account by the staff team when developing the six strategic directions contained in the Strategy, being: 1. a "youth friendly" organizational commitment; 2. program and service delivery model - a partnership approach; 3. connecting with youth who are not currently engaged; 4. accessible, affordable, community-based programs; 5. youth-centred information, knowledge, resources and training; and, 6. communication and marketing strategies designed to reach youth. Ms. Palubeski further advised that the proposed implementation plan is scheduled to begin this year and extend over a 4-year period or until completed; however, is subject to budget availability, staff resources, community trends and partnership opportunities. She noted that an annual review of the recommendations and actions would be undertaken to ensure the objectives of the Strategy are being met. Committee members then asked the following questions: • When does the Implementation Plan begin? The Plan has been approved and staff is now working on how to roll it out to other parts of the organization and ensure that it becomes part of our operations. • What percentage of the City's youth participates in our programming? This is difficult to determine as much of the City's programming takes place outside of the Youth Services area. • How many youth from outside of Kitchener participate? The identified barriers to the current youth programming make it difficult for youth from outside of Kitchener to participate. Staff is looking at making programming less costly, possibly by making more youth aware of the Leisure Access program. Ms. M. Pender advised that Youth Services will be focusing on developing strategic partnerships to assist with the implementation piece. She asked Committee members to provide input concerning possible partner organizations that could be approached to help the YSS achieve its goals. Committee members suggested: the Kitchener Public Library; Kitchener Housing Inc.; minor sports groups; local schools; and other facilities. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 1, 2010 - 13 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. YOUTH SERVICES STRATEGY (CONT'D) Finally, Ms. Pender asked for feedback on how the YSS could maintain its focus to keep youth engaged. Members of the Committee suggested researching the following connections: • Festival of Neighbourhoods -Youth Grand Trunk • Social Planning Council -resource packages • Ethnic organizations -expand into different sports • Focus for Ethnic Women -mothers engaging children productively • Regional Police Gang Unit -intervention /prevention • Boxing Academy -boxing /general conditioning /equipment available • Employment component for youth -this needs to be added to YSS; increase opportunity • Arts, culture & theatre • Golf programs for young people • Edible Schoolyards project -planting edible things (fruit trees) in public spaces • Concerts. Ms. M. Pender thanked the members for their input and was noted that she was open to receiving any more suggestions at any time. 4. NEW BUSINESS Ms. K. Kwiatkowski reminded members to pass along any possible discussion items to either L. Korabo or L. Palubeski 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p. m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator