HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2008-05-06SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 6, 2008 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m.
Present: Co-Chair, Councillor B. Vrbanovic
T. Bender, P. Doherty, M. Haverla, P. Ji-Taylor, C. Schneider, B. Gould, S.
Franzen and N. Cybulski
Staff: L. Palubeski, Manager of Program and Resource Services
A. Grafstein, Community & Corporate Planning Associate
L. Korabo, Committee Administrator
1. KITCHENER DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE STREET OUTREACH
WORKER PROGRAM
Mr. Joe Mancini attended on behalf of the Kitchener Downtown Community Collaborative
Street Outreach Worker Program (SOW P) to present the SOWP's 2008 budget and request
funding from the Committee. Mr. Mancini attended the Committee's February 2008 meeting
and, at that time, gave an in-depth presentation on the program but did not have detailed
information concerning budgetary needs for the coming year.
He reminded members that for the past several years, the Safe and Healthy Community
Advisory Committee has supported the program with an annual grant of $30,000. As funding
has now been secured from the Region of Waterloo (3-year commitment), the Cities of
Waterloo and Cambridge and the Local Housing Integration Network (CHIN), he is requesting a
reduced grant of $16,000. for the current year. The support from other municipalities /
agencies will allow the program to be expanded to a total of 7 outreach staff, working in
various aspects of the program.
In response to the request for funding, members of the Committee asked questions
concerning:
• Hours of service currently provided with the funding now in place;
• Job assignments /descriptions for the 7 outreach workers;
• Outreach expenses detailed in the circulated budget;
• Numbers of people assisted by the program; and,
• Level of service anticipated in future, possible overlap with services provided by
other agencies /programs.
Mr. Mancini advised that approximately 300 individuals per month are assisted, that St. John's
Kitchen serves 280 meals each day but that 800 individuals in the community have been
identified as being at risk. Further, he noted that outreach workers are currently available only
during daytime hours but research could be done into expanding the service to include evening
hours.
In response to questions, Mr. Mancini gave an overview of the activities that are undertaken by
all outreach workers including but not limited to: making connections with social services and
health agencies; providing transportation; and, arranging for financial assistance.
On motion by Mr. C. Schneider -
it was resolved:
"That the request of the Kitchener Downtown Community Collaborative Street Outreach
Worker Program for 2008 funding in the amount of $16,000. from the Safe and Healthy
Community Advisory Committee's budget, be approved."
Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested that this recommendation be brought directly to City
Council at its televised meeting of June 9, 2008 and that Mr. Joe Mancini attend as a
delegation to give a presentation on the Street Outreach Worker Program in support of this
grant request.
2. PRESENTATION -YOUTH SERVICES
Ms. Jenn Campbell and Ms. Marla Pender, Youth Co-ordinators, Community Services
Department, attended to provide an informational presentation on the work of the Youth
Services Unit.
SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
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2. PRESENTATION -YOUTH SERVICES tCONT'D)
Ms. L. Palubeski stated that today's presentation is in response to an item included in the
Committee's Annual Workplan concerning youth engagement in the community.
Ms. J. Campbell advised that currently 42,000 youth, ages 10 to 24, have been identified as
residing in Kitchener with an even distribution among all age groups and gender. Growth
projections to 2016 show that number increasing to 45,000 youth with the most growth being in
the 20 - 24 age bracket. Increased numbers are attributed in large part to this area being a
primary destination for immigration.
Ms. M. Pender advised that staff work on a strength-based approach to set the foundation for
their programming, focusing on solutions rather than problems. Supporting documentation
circulated this date states that using astrength-based approach for development increases
and strengthens the protective factors and resiliency in the lives of young people by
recognizing and working with their strengths and attributes and supporting them in building an
even wider repertoire of personal skills.
The delegation then spoke on the subject of asset building which is viewed as a key part of
building relationships and as an ongoing process requiring consistent messages and repetition
to achieve positive effects. Eight asset categories (4 external and 4 internal) were identified
which create positive environments for youth and are used as part of the youth engagement
approach.
External Assets Internal Assets
Support Commitment to Learning
Empowerment Positive Values
Boundaries and Expectations Social Competencies
Constructive Use of Time Positive Identity.
Ms. Campbell and Ms. Pender then outlined a listing of activities that Youth Services are
currently involved with:
• Kitchener Youth Action Council (KYAC) - a voluntary committee of youth aged 15
- 24 who support fellow youth so that young people's voices are heard throughout
the community;
• Summer Youth Drop-in Program -designed to provide a safe, supported space
to hang out, open to those aged 12 - 17 offering a variety of activities;
• Kitchener Youth Crew -for youth aged 15 - 17; compliments the Drop-in
Program. Designed to give youth the opportunity to learn and practice new skills
and a meaningful way to contribute to their own youth program;
• Doon Skatium -mobile skate park offers a place to hang out, park travels to
different community centres each week to be accessible to boarders across the
community;
• Year-round Drop-in Programs -held during the school year at the Downtown and
Centreville Chicopee Community Centres, open to those aged 12 - 17; offers a
variety of programs;
• Year Round Drop-in Program for Older Youth -held during the school year at the
Downtown Community Centre for those age 18+; offers drop-in basketball
program;
• Employment Opportunities for Youth -summer and year-round employment to
run the Drop-in Programs and Skatium; and,
• Community support and collaboration -Youth Co-ordinators act as community
resources available to support and assist Kitchener residents in
strengthening their relationships with youth, problem solving, addressing youth
issues, provide training, research partnering opportunities, etc.
All programs are either no cost or low cost to permit maximum participation by youth.
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2. PRESENTATION -YOUTH SERVICES tCONT'D)
In addition to the ongoing activities list presented, Youth Services is also involved in getting
services out to "at risk" youth by collaborating with community members, partnering with
Family and Children's Services and the School Boards; connecting with Lesbian, Gay, Trans-
gendered, Bi-sexual and Questioning youth (LGTBO), annual Youth Awards, a Youth Forum
that is based on a similar concept to the "Creating a Culture of Safety" conference that was
held in September 2007; and, the annual Unity Jam.
In closing, Ms. Palubeski advised that the role of the Youth Co-ordinators is to support
individuals in the community and provide links with and referrals to appropriate agencies. The
work undertaken by City staff is a slow process due to staffing and budget restraints, however,
it is felt that positive steps have been made and will continue to be improved upon.
3. DIVERSITY -COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
In response to item 2 under the Diversity area of focus of the Committee's Workplan, a
presentation is being made today on the Community Environmental Scan recently conducted
by members of the sub-committee. The goal of the scan was to become knowledgeable on the
mandate of external ethnic /cultural agencies, services and organizations and to investigate
any partnership opportunities that would broaden access to corporate services and programs.
Mr. C. Schneider introduced this item advising that the sub-committee had investigated
services being offered in the community and had previously distributed information to the
Committee about local ethnocultural groups. Given the number of groups in the community, it
would be challenging to learn about all of their needs. The Region of Waterloo is intending to
undertake a similar project to identify needs.
Ms. A. Grafstein advised that the Region of Waterloo has submitted a proposal to Citizenship
and Immigration Canada for the establishment of a Local Immigration Partnership (LIP). The
City of Kitchener would be a partner in this project and would be involved in developing a
strategy to improve integration of immigrants into the Region. Initially the Region would work
with various community partners to develop the LIP, this partnership would then develop a
settlement strategy for Waterloo Region.
Other than the Region and the City, other community partners would include the Waterloo
Region Immigrant Employment Network, community organizations working in the area of
immigrant settlement, other area municipalities and Regional departments.
The partnership would facilitate the development and implementation of solutions for
successful settlement /integration of immigrants /refugees in Waterloo Region and would
strengthen awareness and capacity of this Region to integrate increasing numbers of
immigrants. All partners would be involved in various task groups exploring issues and gaps
and develop action plans around themes related to immigrant and refugee settlement services,
language training program as well as social and economic integration.
Locally, the Centre for Community Based Research would act in a facilitation and project co-
ordination capacity. This year-long development process would include hosting a community
forum building on the task group's results toward a comprehensive plan for immigrant and
refugee settlement and integration as well as seeking local resources and commitment to
continue with future phases.
The second area of interest of the sub-committee was the development of a diversity strategy
for the City of Kitchener. Ms. Grafstein advised that she has been looking into best practices
noting that this work can be very complex and must take into account many elements of an
organization. She advised that she had attended a conference and picked up a resource that
was developed by the City of Edmonton: its Diversity and Inclusion Framework. This
Framework can be adapted to our municipality's needs and includes tools for staff to
incorporate diversity perspectives into their work. Several staff have reviewed this Framework
and are now looking at customizing it to fit our requirements. As this review is undertaken, staff
will keep in mind any role that the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee can take
on and will provide an update at a future meeting.
SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
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3. DIVERSITY -COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN tCONT'D)
Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that a copy of the City of Edmonton's Diversity and Inclusion
Framework be provided to Committee members for their information.
4. 911 CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Ms. L. Palubeski advised that the Annual 911 Charity Golf Tournament will be held on
Thursday, June 12, 2008 at Rockway Golf Club. Tournament organizers are still in search of
additional hole sponsors and members of the Committee were requested to pass along any
suggestions of organizations that could be contacted. It was requested that a list of confirmed
hole sponsors be circulated to Committee members so that duplication of effort can be
avoided.
5. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Linda Korabo
Committee Administrator