Youth Engagement

Colwood is working to support the health, safety and success of youth in our community

Colwood was selected by Public Safety Canada to receive funding through the Building Safer Communities Fund to increase youth engagement in Colwood and foster the well-being and success of youth in our community. Specifically, to provide youth services and safe spaces with the goal of preventing gang and gun violence before it starts. 

Connecting youth and service providers in new ways

In 2023 the City engaged community-based youth service providers, The Village Initiative and Thrive Social Services, to produce a document called the Middle Years Strategy to guide youth engagement using grant funding. The strategy outlines tactics aimed at connecting youth to people, services, activities and skills to set them on a healthy and successful path.

Using grant funding, Colwood has had the opportunity to explore ways to support the health, safety and success of youth on the West Shore by hearing directly from youth, connecting local youth service partners in new ways, using space creatively, and amplifying and piloting new youth programs.

Piloting programs to support the most vulnerable youth

Here are just a few examples of initiatives the grant funding has allowed our community to explore:

  • Youth engagement to hear directly from kids in our community through workshops, meetings, surveys and activities and let the needs of vulnerable youth guide our actions.
  • Friday Night Youth Drop-In at West Shore Parks & Recreation - adding youth mentors to enhance safety so if kids are going through something and could use the support or direction of a caring adult, they'll be there. 
  • After School Drop-In at Emery Hall - a safe place for teens to hang out after school and participate in activities and learning such as FoodSafe courses, get a hair cut, and have a snack. 
  • Summer Mentorship Program - to keep kids engaged in healthy activities. 
  • Hockey4Youth - hockey training for youth who wouldn't otherwise be able to participate, learn a sport, be part of a team, take direction from coaches, and earn that kind of positive reinforcement. 
  • Chefs and Bakers on the Shore - an opportunity for kids who are disconnected from school to learn a new skill, increase options for employment, connect with peers, and gain positive reinforcement from caring adults
  • New access to L.I.F.E. passes for free access to recreation centres
  • Weight Training so kids can build confidence to use the gym and equipment and build healthy habits.
  • Providing learning opportunities for parents and youth service providers.
  • Youth Week celebrations to reinforce for youth that they are part of a community that cares about them and their health, safety, and success. 
  • And many more programs and initiatives.

Evaluating youth engagement on the West Shore

Over the coming months we'll be engaging youth and partners in a comprehensive evaluation of youth engagement efforts to better understand what actions have the greatest positive impact on youth in our communities. 

Collaborating to create a West Shore Youth Strategy

The evaluation results will provide a foundation for collaboration on the creation of a West Shore youth strategy to guide a sustainable approach to supporting the success of youth into the future. 

Resources for youth on the West Shore

We're working with partners to determine the best approach to create, disseminate and offer easy access to an accurate, up to date, shared list of resouces that youth on the West Shore can access to support their safety, health and success. See Youth Rresources for Getting help today, Community Resources, Helpful Apps, and Free things to do.

 

Partnerships & Collaboration

We work to support youth by fostering partnerships among government, non profit, private and public organizations, community groups and community members for a whole community approach.

This includes (but is not limited to) partners like West Shore Parks & Recreation, School District 62, Pacific Centre Family Services Association, BGC, Thrive Social Services, Washington Kids Foundation, West Shore RCMP, Safer Schools Together, the Village Initiative, Songhees Nation, Kosapsum Nation, neighbouring municipalities and many others.

Wraparound services

Youth activities to check out

BC Youth Week happens May 1 - 7, 2024. Watch for activity announcements!

Activities at West Shore Parks & Recreation 

  • Wednesday Youth Drop-In at West Shore Parks & Recreation 6:30 to 7:30 pm
    Board games, video games or just some time to hang out, then hit the ice at Juan de Fuca arena for a $2 skate. The Shore is open after the skate if you’re looking for some snacks, a place to warm up and more fun.
     
  • Thursday Youth Drop-In at Centennial Centre 3:15 to 7:15 pm
    For youth in Grade 6 and up who love to paint, sculpt, print, sew, or draw - in the art studio where a variety of art materials will be provided for an evening of creative art making!
     
  • Friday Youth Drop-In at West Shore Parks & Recreation 
    Board games, video games or just some time to hang out, then hit the ice at Juan de Fuca pool for a $2 swim. The Shore is open after the swim if you’re looking for some snacks, a place to warm up and more fun.
     
  • LEGO Group – 2SLGHTQI+ Drop In 3:00 - 4:30 pm
    Open to youth age 13-18 who identify (or are questioning/exploring their identity) as part of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Facilitated by a Youth and Family Counsellor from Pacific Centre Family Services Association.
     
  • Youth Drop In & Indoor Sports Floor - Various Days & Times (subject to change – check website)
    Lots of fun at the Youth only swim then games and activities in the Indoor sports complex and The Shore (youth room). Different themes, special events and snacks provided.  
     
  • Youth Drop In Basketball
    Mon & Tues 3-5pm, Thurs 7:30-9:00pm, Fri 3:00 – 4:30pm, Sat 4:30-6:30pm, Sun 10:30am – 12pm
     
  • West Shore Skatepark 
    Open dawn to dusk all week long.
     
  • Washington Kids Foundation Game Ready - partnership to bring at risk youth to West Shore Parks & Recreation for physical activity.
     
  • Inter-cultural Association – partnership to bring new immigrant youth for drop in activities.
     
  • Westshore Secondary School - partnership to provide Take a Hike class and Physical Education in the weight room.
     
  • School District 62 English Language Learners - partnership to provide Spanish Teens program and Sparks program.
    Spanish Teens: For Spanish speaking students to focus on emotional regulation, fostering connections, addressing a sense of belonging, and navigating cultural barriers and identity.
    Sparks: Art-Therapy based program designed to support newcomer children 6-12 years old by providing them with the skills to adapt and adjust to their new communities and the Canadian school system.
     
  • Chefs on the Shore - Youth cooking program in partnership with Thrive Victoria. Provides youth instruction on 2-3 recipes per week to encourage healthy eating and food security. Most youth referred from Thrive programs but open to all. 

Learning for parents and educators

Understand and prevent risky behaviour in youth - June 2024
presented by Safer Schools Together

  • Awareness session for parents and caregivers
    June 18, 2024 from 9am to 12:30pm at Langford Legion
     
  • Training Session for services providers who interact with vulnerable youth
    June 18, 2024 from 6:15pm to 7:15pm at West Shore Parks and Recreation Field House

Gang Education Seminar - March 2024
presented by West Shore RCMP and BC's End Gang LIfe Initiative

  • Understand current and local gang related activity
  • Recruitment tactics
  • How to identify early risk factors in youth
  • Awareness and education on social media/substance use trends
  • Importance of accessing community based supports