Media Release - West Vancouver Commits to Improving Youth Services

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

West Vancouver, BC: The West Vancouver Youth Services Technical Review Group has completed its review and identified six key recommendations to improve services for youth over the next five years. The review was conducted by a community technical review group and supported by the Parks and Community Services Division of the District of West Vancouver.

“In doing the review, the technical review group found that West Vancouver is doing a good job providing services to youth,” says Helen Vanee, technical group member and retired educator. “We also found there are a number of concrete ways we can improve West Vancouver programs, services and youth amenities. The review provided a really positive opportunity to work together with youth, parents, the school board and community youth service providers to focus on young people and their needs."

The six recommendations include:

  1. Parks and Community Services staff be directed to take action to implement the six Key Strategic Directions identified in this report (pages 6-8) as priorities from the Youth Services Review;
  2. Council direct staff to bring forward, in the 2012 Budget submission, with a business case and job description, one additional full time Youth Development Worker position as part of the ongoing budget for Parks and Community Services in the amount of $75,000 (inclusive of benefits) to start January 1, 2012 to enable the District to meet the underserved needs of youth in the western half of the community; 
  3. Council authorize staff to bring forward bylaws to expend $15,000 annually for a five year period (2012 -2016) from the Youth Activity Fund to provide increased programming that will support the healthy development of youth in West Vancouver; 
  4. Council direct staff to look at long term planning options for the revitalization of the Ambleside Youth Centre based on a joint funding model with community partners.  The vision of ‘Ambleside Youth Place’ is for a multi-use facility to serve a broad range of youth activities and services;
  5. Council direct staff to establish a Youth Services Review Implementation Group comprised of community stakeholders (youth, parents, external partners, and internal partners) to ensure the six Key Strategic Directions identified in the Youth Services Review are implemented; and
  6. Council direct staff to bring forward an annual progress report containing key performance indicators, which demonstrates how West Vancouver is moving forward with the delivery of Youth Services.

“I’d like to thank all the community members for their active participation and their commitment to youth in West Vancouver,” says Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones. “In our most recent community survey West Vancouver residents suggested we improve upon our commitment to our young people. This is a great start.” 
 
Please click here for the full report or presentation to Council.

About the District of West Vancouver
The District of West Vancouver is the local government led by Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones and Council. Home to more than 44,000 residents, West Vancouver is a local government which strives to "inspire excellence and lead by example". Our Vision and Mission  guide us to pursue our treasured quality of life and will be the measure of our success as a community. West Vancouver is a community built on innovation, a strong spirit of personal civic commitment and with a deep value for relationships.

Media Contact:
Jessica Delaney, Director of Communications
Cell: 604-360-8131
Direct: 604-925-4736