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The Corporation of The City of London
June 12, 2012


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


New Opportunities for London Youth

The City of London in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of London have been awarded a $130,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

The Future Fund grant from the OTF, an agency of the Government of Ontario will support London’s Action Plan for Youth Community Economic Development. The Action Plan will develop and implement innovative neighbourhood based projects in collaboration with young people, community service partners and local elementary and high schools.

“Over the past two years we have worked with young people, community partners, and schools in implementing and learning from a number of initiatives in the Kipps Lane neighbourhood,” said Trevor Johnson, Supervisor Community Partnerships and Funding, City of London. “This experience has led to the development of the Youth Community Economic Development Framework. The Action Plan will expand the implementation of the Framework into an additional three neighbourhoods: Argyle, Medway and Westmount.”

Key project objectives within the Action Plan include:

  • Engaging with young people and building positive relationships using innovative strategies including the Photovoice method which uses cameras to promote young people discussing their experiences in neighbourhoods
  • Growing leadership skills of young people within their neighbourhoods by supporting youth led activities in neighbourhoods
  • Developing unique employment based training and summer job opportunities such as the Dynamic Dozen flashmob troupes and Veggie City Garden Company
  • Developing entrepreneurship programs for young people to learn to run their own small businesses and provide them with the opportunity to qualify for microloans for start up costs
  • Linking with mentorship and school support opportunities at Western University and Fanshawe College to help with setting goals for the future

“The Boys and Girls Club of London has a long history of supporting children and youth in the community,” said Chris Harvey executive director at the Boys and Girls Club. “We’re excited to be part of a program that will give London’s youth the skills necessary to make the successful transition from high school and attend post-secondary education or training.”