Those Kids… Are Our Kids

Last fall, the community was shocked by the events leading up to the death of Damien Sobieraj in Hardy Park. The Community Situation Table, including local Police and Health and Social Services agencies, has been addressing the impact.

In April of 2019, a report called Those Kids… Are Our Kids, was released by a group of men calling themselves Friends supporting Youth in Leeds and Grenville. The findings from the report showed a definite link to the role of leisure and recreation activities for youth 11–15 in our communities.

Leisure time was especially identified as an issue because traditional sources of leisure (parents, schools, and churches) no longer necessarily fulfill that role in the community so it is difficult for kids to make decisions on what to do with their free time. Adult allies are excited to get some insight to understand the interests of today’s youth and how to develop leisure and recreation programs to attract kids.

The group got together with local youth agencies such as Every Kid in our Communities, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, United Way Leeds & Grenville, YMCA of Eastern Ontario and local school and youth groups to take their vision of unlocking the potential and improving outcomes for our youth in Leeds & Grenville to the next level.

This workshop is organized to connect the youth and the leaders of Leeds & Grenville to determine their needs around Leisure and Recreation.

Another Community Conversations session was held on October 30, 2019 by the Poverty Reduction Alliance of Leeds and Grenville and the Tamarack Institute. The goal of this conversation event was to collect insights from different cross-sector groups of people to collectively identify a roadmap for change and make a pledge to the positive future of our community.

Eventually, the group would like to develop a strategic plan to which activities can be linked back. It is easy to get sidetracked with ideas that look like they may work. A plan sets the base for success.

Residents are concerned; but wonder what they can do to help. The Community Conversations series of events will promote some ways the community can be involved or at least affect positive change.