The Youth Inclusion Program provided an update at Thunder Bay City Council.
The program offers neighbourhood based activities and individual support, focusing on youth aged 12 to 24.
Project Manager, Kaitlyn Prezio, carried out a presentation focusing on how the program has shifted to an online format prior to a questioning period from councillors.
Tough questions did come up, including from At Large Councillor Rebecca Johnson who wanted to know how the Youth Inclusion Program has spent its $5.6-million budget.
“The spending has been on really developing the program, so training and development of staffing, on getting our sites up and running because we did start really with nothing for the program. Being able to have our office space as well as program supplies and different needs for the participants involved with our programs,” said Prezio.
Current River councillor Andrew Foulds also pointed out many of his constituents are very concerned about crime. “You will remember that we are coming up on the one year anniversary where we had a young person killed in this neighbourhood. There are lots of people in my ward looking for services for youth, that I think you can offer.”
The Program Manager answered the group is reaching out to schools and dropping off information through different neighbourhoods.
The group also received praise for the services the program has provided so far, including from At Large Councillor Aldo Ruberto.
“They’ve been awesome, I’m hearing good things. I’m hearing that at the ground level that the kids are enjoying the program, they love the fact that there’s mentorship. There’s people they can go to who aren’t their parents who they can talk to,” said Ruberto
Prezio went on to state how the program will be looking to make more connections with other groups in Thunder Bay, and be shifting to an in-person format for youth when it is safe again to do so.
