HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-08-089 - Program & Resource Services - Program UpdateI
KIT R - - • -
Communiry Services
Report To: Community Services Committee
Date of Meeting: December 1, 2008
Submitted By: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and
Services (x2687)
Prepared By: Lori Palubeski, Manager, Program and Resource Services
(x2623)
Ward(s) Involved: All
Date of Report: November 13th, 2008
Report No.: CSD-08-089
Subject: PROGRAM AND RESOURCE SERVICES -PROGRAM
UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
For information only
BACKGROUND:
Program and Resource Services is responsible for the provision of city-wide programs and
services within the areas of Children, Youth, Older Adults, Inclusion, Winter Rinks, as well as,
the Safe and Healthy Communities portfolio.
It is important to communicate, highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of various
programs within this section on an annual basis. For the purpose of this report, staff has
provided an update on programs specific to Inclusion Services, Summer Playgrounds, Winter
Rinks and Youth Services.
REPORT:
A significant portion of the programs that are facilitated by this staff team are designed for
children and youth and are implemented during the summer months. While the goals include
the provision of high quality, low cost programs, it is important to note the larger impacts that the
delivery of these programs have on our community. The benefits of participation in recreation
and leisure opportunities for young people are well documented and link program participation
to improved health, the development of healthy relationships, skill development and crime
prevention and reduction.
Additionally, our programs provide a continuum of opportunities that respond to the interests
and maturation of our participants. For example, annually, more than 5,000 children ages three
to thirteen participate in summer programs.
Report No. CSD-08-089 Page 2
As they mature, these children continue to be involved in opportunities such as Building Youth
Leadership Development (BYLD) and a fair proportion secure summer employment positions
within our Community Services Department or alternatively serve as members of the Kitchener
Youth Action Council (KYAC). Approximately 175 young people are employed in Program and
Resource Services during the summer months. This progression provides an opportunity for
young people in our community to become and to remain engaged, first in recreation programs
and then progressively in to positions of leadership. This engagement process impacts and
enriches the lives of children both by broadening their life experiences and their skill
development.
The following provides a general overview of our 2008 programs including some of the
highlights and a look ahead.
Summer Playgrounds
In 2008, approximately 5000 children participated in Summer Playground programs across our
community. Forty-six distinct program locations were implemented at community centres,
elementary schools, parks and places of worship. Children enjoyed a variety of activities,
speakers, trips and special events. The programs are designed to meet the developmental
needs of three distinct age groups: Preschool (3-5 years), Junior (6-8 years) and Adventure (9-
12 years). Volunteer Parent Committees continue to be a vital part of our team providing
recommendations for improvements and invaluable linkages to neighbourhoods.
New in 2008 was a parent survey that asked parents/guardians to share their rational for
choosing our programs. The top three responses are noted below;
• Walkable location within their neighbourhood,
• Programs are affordable,
• Excellent, trained staff -providing quality programming that their children love.
Despite the City's efforts to ensure that the registration fees are accessible to all families there
are community members who find the current rates insurmountable. In 2008, 207 children
received fee assistance for a total of $11,962. As a result of our partnership with the Region of
Waterloo, this cost was shared between the National Child Benefit program and our Leisure
Access service ($6,026 from NCB and $5,935 from Leisure Access).
Working with community agencies and Inclusion Services, staff has and will continue to develop
strategies to ensure this program is inclusive for new Canadian families. Current examples
include:
• Hiring interpreters and securing translation services to assist with program registration,
support children in program and assisting parents with the completion of forms, and
• Staff training that is developed in consultation with community partners and includes
specific inclusive program strategies and resources.
As we continue, it will be important for us to respond to the growth and changing demographics
of our neighbourhoods. Program design should be reflective of the unique interests of our
neighbourhoods and adequate space must be secured in order to continue to offer quality
programming.
Report No. CSD-08-089 Page 3
Buildina Youth Leadership Development (BYLD
The BYLD program is a leadership development program for young people aged 13 to 15 years.
Participants receive training in general leadership skills such as; communication, teamwork,
program planning and problem solving. Participants complete atwo-week placement to practice
the skills at summer playground or camp programs.
In 2008, 101 young people participated in the BYLD program, learning valuable leadership skills
and providing over 4,900 hours of volunteer service. At minimum wage, this represents a value
of over $40,000 provided to the playground and camp programs. In addition, 33 participants
used their volunteer hours toward the fulfillment of their high school community service hours.
Looking ahead to 2009, staff will develop further communication strategies to link with School
Boards and youth serving agencies for the purposes of program promotion.
Drama School
Drama School is an innovative summer program for children and youth aged 9-14 years offered
in partnership with Community Services, J.M. Drama and the Registry Theatre. This program
offers participants the opportunity to learn, create and experience all aspects of theatre and
dramatic arts. During each of the two 3-week sessions, participants wrote plays, created and
constructed sets, learned lighting and sound design, made costumes and performed for a live
audience.
2008 experienced the highest number of program registrations. It is estimated that this increase
is as a result of the change in age requirements to allow younger participants to register.
Looking ahead for 2009, it will be important for the partners to explore alternative sources of
funding given that the program was unsuccessful in securing HRSDC funding in 2008.
Winter Rinks
Outdoor Winter Rinks area "labour of love" for over 300 volunteers who work diligently during
the coldest days/nights of the year to provide free skating for children and families across the
City. These warm hearted volunteers contributed over 15,000 hours of volunteer service to
maintain 29 winter rinks during the 2007/2008 winter rink season. Two new rinks were added
this year; one at Kiwanis Park and one at Chandler Mowat Community Centre.
Due to the cycle of heavy snow fall, cold snaps and then thaws, last season posed as
particularly challenging for our volunteers in creating and maintaining rinks. Their continued
effort during these times was appreciated by all including the many children who learned to
skate on their neighbourhood rink and the families who enjoyed a game of pick-up hockey.
Looking ahead, staff will continue volunteer recruitment efforts as well as develop strategies to
accommodate rink requests from new subdivision developments.
Report No. CSD-08-089 Paae 4
Every Kid Counts
Every Kid Counts is a program offered in partnership with KidsLink. Since 1998, this program
has provided exceptional support to children and youth with a disability enabling their
participation in municipal summer programs and camps in Kitchener and Waterloo. Over the
past 10 years, this program has effectively provided individual support to well over 1,000
children and youth with a disability.
A "10th Year Anniversary Celebration" kicked off the 2008 program. Local businesses were
extremely generous in their financial contribution to this program this year and as a result, an
additional three Inclusion Facilitators were hired. Although this allowed for additional
participants to register in 2008, the program will not be able to accommodate the same number
of requests for 2009 if there is a decrease in donations.
Securing annual funding is an ongoing challenge. The program is dependent on the success of
the community fundraising campaigns for the United Way of Kitchener-Waterloo and the
Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation. HRSDC decreased the amount of funding for
wage subsidies in 2008 which did have an impact on the program. Staff will continue efforts in
submitting applications for grant programs and soliciting donations.
It's All About YOUth Camp
This two week program was once again extremely successful in providing an opportunity for
youth ages 12 to 17 with a disability to participate in camp. Activities included swimming, crafts,
life skills, theme days, a BBQ, discussions on current events.
This program demands significant resources and is well worth our investment. Looking ahead,
staff will investigate opportunities with local Developmental Services agencies to determine if
there are further areas for partnership development.
Year Round Accommodation
Since the early 1980's the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo have provided volunteer support as
a means of assisting individuals with a disability in the participation of municipal recreation
programs. In 2008, this program experienced a 100% increase in volunteer support from 2007.
Volunteer availability is the most significant challenge, meaning, matching the participant's
request for a program on a specific day/time with the schedule of the volunteer.
It is anticipated that there will be a continued increase for year round accommodation as
participants and their families experience success in our programs. Staff will continue with
efforts in volunteer recruitment and training in preparation for this.
Specialized Programs (Boccia Ball, Golf, Adapted Aquatics)
Boccia is a ball game that originated in Southern Europe and is similar to lawn bowling. The
program operates once a week at Blessed Sacrament School during the fall, winter and spring.
Report No. CSD-08-089 Page 5
Volunteer recruitment continues to be a challenge. In 2008, staff began discussions with
representatives from the Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association and the Ontario March of
Dimes in hopes of further promoting the program.
Our 2008 Golf season was a great success! Under the leadership of the KW Golf Committee
(representatives from the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, both school boards and KidsAbility), a
variety of different golf programs for people with disabilities were offered. All four clinics
experienced full registration.
Adapted Aquatics is a swimming program designed for children and youth with a disability who
require specialized instruction in order to progress in their swimming skills. The program is
offered at Forest Heights Pool and continues to experience full registration. Staff continues to
refine volunteer recruitment strategies in order to support the implementation of this program.
Leisure Access
Leisure Access is the fee subsidy program for direct City of Kitchener programs. Since 2006,
there has been a gradual increase (total of 329) in the amount of cards issued. We attribute this
to both the increase in the amount of subsidy offered per individual and to our outreach efforts
with local agencies.
As a result of the Leisure Access Strategy that was approved by Council in 2005 (CSC-07-023),
staff have been working on the implementation of the various recommendations. A few include;
• Meeting with a regional networking group consisting of representatives from the cities of
Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, the Region of Waterloo and the University of Waterloo.
This group is working together to develop strategies that will decrease/eliminate barriers
for families in accessing Fee Assistance within the region.
• Investigating the opportunity for the development of a "universal card' to be accepted by
minor sports and neighbourhood associations
Youth Services (Youth Drop-In, Doon Skatium Skate Park, Youth Art-Youth Voice Afterschool
Program, Kitchener Youth Action Council):
Rooted in the Search Institute Development Assets Approach, our youth programs focus on
helping to build developmental assets through recreation and leisure opportunities. Their assets
are enhanced through building strong relationships, experiences, and inner strengths and are
needed by all young people to lead healthy, caring, and responsible lives. The greater the
number of developmental assets experienced by young people, the more positive and
successful their development.
In 2008 our youth programs experienced over 8,000 youth "visits". We strive to ensure that our
programs are diverse and interesting for a broad scope of youth. Examples of our programs
include; the Youth Art-Youth Voice Afterschool art program, 18+ Sport Drop-In, Doon Skatium
Skate Park and Youth Drop-Ins operated at nine community centres throughout Kitchener. The
Kitchener Youth Action Council continues to draw enthusiastic youth to work on projects of their
choosing including the Youth Awards, the 2nd annual Pride Prom and Unity Jam.
Report No. CSD-08-089 Paae 6
The development of collaborations and partnerships with various youth serving agencies has
allowed us to further extend our programs. For example, in partnership with OK2BME and
KYAC, the first Pride Prom was organized at the Country Hills Community Centre. Additionally,
a variety of other programs including Chances Are, Girls on the Move and OK2BME Photo
Voice program have been implemented as a result of the interest, support and the use of space
at community centres. Without this collaboration these "hard to capture" populations would not
be served.
It is vital for us to embed more diversity in the activities that are offered, therefore attracting a
more diverse youth population. Creating a wider spectrum of activities that will attract girls and
other untapped youth populations from different cultures is key to the diversity of Youth
Services. Alarmingly, the younger youth population under the age of twelve is in need of
opportunities and space as the youth drop-in programs continually see this group of children
seeking to be included. Further the demand for free programming is apparent across all
neighbourhoods in the City. Country Hills youth travel to Chandler Mowat Community Centre for
the free youth drop-in program and many regular attendees to neighbourhood free drop-ins
across the City do not attend summer youth drop-in because of the $1.00 a visit fee ($10 for the
summer membership). This amount although seemingly small is a great barrier to these youth.
Youth Services strives to provide a safe and healthy space for youth to grow and develop their
strength based assets. Nevertheless this space in Centres is dwindling and pressed upon by
various groups. This is a major challenge. The impact of not honouring youth's space is
detrimental to program quality and forces an alternate, ill-equipped use of space which further
stretches the program budget by requiring additional staff for supervision. As Youth Services
strives to include youth in our community the space in neighbourhoods is integral to that
relationship.
Our work plan for 2009 is entering a new frontier as the Youth Services Strategy is unveiled and
implemented. The recommendations drawn from the Youth Services Strategy will present a
clear direction for meeting the needs of our youth and for finding solutions for the gaps in
service. Even though the new ground will be imbedded with fresh ideas the mainstay youth
services portfolio will continue to see success and growth.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The City of Kitchener is recognized for the significant financial contribution it makes in ensuring
that affordable summer program opportunities exists and for its investment into our community's
children and youth.
CONCLUSION:
The provision of low cost, neighbourhood-based programming for children and youth is
essential to the health of our community. The City of Kitchener continues to be a leader in the
provision of programs that support the development and well being of children, youth and their
families in Kitchener
Mark Hildebrand
Director, Community Programs and Services