Site map

Sustainability Action Areas

Currently we have sustainability activities underway in the following areas: agricultural land and food security, community resiliency and well-being, emergency response and community preparedness, energy, health care, housing and multi-level seniors care, sustainable economics: community currency, transportation priorities and actions, and water. To see what each group is up to click on the individual topic.

Youth

The following is a summary of the discussion held at the October 24th Sustainable Gabriola Community Forum. There are many groups and individuals on the island contributing to this topic area and we would like to acknowledge that work. Please feel free to email us specific actions that have been accomplished and those that are underway and we will post them on the site. It is hoped that the following points from our October 24th discussion will build on the work that has been done.

CONVENOR:

PARTICIPANTS:

Jason Brown, David Carrington, Josee Velsen, Dyan Dunsmoor-Farley, Kelly Price

Participants in the Youth Discussion –prior to Oct 24th: The Haven, The Hope Centre , PHC

Emerging Priorities

  • Youth empowerment. Inclusion of youth in decision-making processes in their community (esp. those that directly impact them).
  • Cooperation and coordination between organizations and individuals that work with youth on Gabriola.
  • Increased opportunity for youth to access local culture and become involved in local organizations.
  • Raising awareness and support in the community for existing programs and services.
  • Identification of gaps in programming and strategizing about opportunities.
  • Accessibility: The ability of all youth to access healthy, sustainable, fun & educational programs & services.
  • Fostering the relationship between seniors and youth. (wisdom, storytelling)
  • Developing programming for youth that promotes a relationship with the natural world and critical thinking (esp. in relationship to the media).
  • Honouring and nurturing the unique spirit and character of youth. A
  • Acknowledgement that youth need constructive ways to challenge themselves (mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically) as part of a natural and necessary part of their development.

What are the long term objectives related to this topic?

  • Across organizational boundaries, work to develop and sustain a spectrum of programs and services for youth on Gabriola so that all youth in our community have access to what they need for healthy development and so that Gabriola youth and families have choices.
  • Strive to educate the larger Gabriola community about the importance of supporting and maintaining sustainable programs & services for youth on Gabriola.
  • Strategize about how to make youth programming self-sustaining on Gabriola.
  • Develop and share best practices for working with youth on Gabriola.
  • Develop a communication model that bridges the different organizations and individuals that work with youth so that there can be increased coordination and cooperation.
  • Create a place of congregation, that honours youth, and is a safe, welcoming and inviting place for everyone in the community(with a myriad of entrances and exits).

What are the short and medium term actions needed to achieve the objectives?

  • Undertake a mapping of the various individuals, groups, organizations and businesses that currently service youth: identify gaps and opportunities.
  • Facilitate ongoing youth dialogue/feedback regarding their needs, ideas and concerns.
  • Strive to create safe, supportive environments where youth can speak honestly about issues that affect them.
  • Engage youth in becoming educated and involved in The Sustainable Gabriola Project.

How will we know we have been successful?

  • Evaluation by the youth and families of Gabriola as to whether they have sufficient opportunity and access to programs and services that support healthy physical, emotional, spiritual and mental development and wellness.

What organizations and individuals need to be involved?

  • youth on Gabriola (13 -29 years)
  • parents
  • The Gathering Place
  • PHC
  • The Gabriola Recreation Society
  • The Haven
  • Other Gabriola organizations/businesses that provide programs/services for youth.
  • Independent youth workers