Rural_youth_partnership

Jeff Green | Feb 15, 2007

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Northern RuralYouth Partnernshipby Jeff Green

Last October, an innocuous little item in the Frontenac News asking for interested parties to attend a meeting about services for youth in Central and North Frontenac led to a tremendous response. Thirty people, including representatives from Sharbot Lake High School, social service agencies, community groups and the general public showed up to talk about how the lack of activities for youth in the two townships can be addressed.

Four months later, the Northern Rural Youth Partnership, as it has been named, made their first presentation to Central Frontenac Council. Lori Hamilton, who has been hired with the help of a grant from the Eastern Ontario Development Program, told council of the initiatives that are underway. With help from Cindy Scott from Sharbot Lake High School , a youth committee, dubbed NACFAC (North and Central Frontenac Activity Committee for Youth) has been established; a recreation and activity guide for the two townships is being prepared; and a two year grant from the province is being sought. The grant will be used to increase access for youth to activities that already exist, purchase portable recreation equipment, and co-ordinate the project and develop recreational leaders.

Lori Hamilton and Sue Leslie, from Northern Frontenac Community Services (the lead agency for the project), asked that council agree to post the activity guide on their website; to provide a limited amount of staff time to the project as needed; and to take on the responsibility for looking after equipment if some is received.

The presentation was well received by council, which agreed to support the project.

NACFAC is organising some events for the coming month, including a movie night and a ski trip. For further information, contact Lori Hamilton at 279-2244. Anyone or any group that provides recreational activities is asked to submit their information to the activity guide, which is being called the Rural Recreation Guide please see the ad on page 8.