As we take the time to reflect on 2021 for Communities Building Youth Futures (CBYF), we also want to take the chance to highlight and celebrate the work that the CBYF communities have accomplished since becoming part of the network in June 2020.
The moments we’re celebrating as 2021 comes to a close include:
- 12 communities have launched their collective impact initiative
- Over 330 local leaders have been engaged as members of local leadership tables, including 119 youth, 23 employers, 118 community organizations, 70 government/education organizations
- 5,600 youth have been engaged in local Leadership Tables, Backbone staff roles, Innovation Fund projects, and other activities, programs and projects
- 14 Community Innovation Fund project have been implemented
Action on six priorities
The impact that the pandemic has had on youth across communities is being felt in varying degrees and in varying ways.The 12 communities have identified and started implementing initiatives on six common priorities for youth to help support their journey from high school to graduation and to post-secondary education, training and employment.
Those common priorities are as follows:
- Accessible Education
- Identity and Social Connection
- Service Navigation and Access to Supports
- Youth Engagement and Leadership
- Holistic Health and Wellbeing
- Employment and Mentorship
To give you a sense of some of the exciting work happening in the CBYF communities and network, below are some of the resources produced over the last calendar year for your reading pleasure:
Case Studies highlighting the Community Innovation Fund projects
- Yellowknife Youth Reach Their Dreams Through Technology
- Portage la Prairie: Roving Campus Re-engages Students
- Prince Albert Bridges the Digital Divide with Local Youth
- Sudbury Youth Co-Design Digital Strategy to Improve Service Access
- Digby's Youth-Led Initiative Creates a Space for Youth in Nova Scotia
Webinar recordings
- WEBINAR | Making the Case for Arts-Based Community Engagement
- WEBINAR | Mobilizing Community Change with Youth at the Centre: Lessons Learned from Communities Building Youth Futures
- WEBINAR | Communities Mobilizing to Build Youth Futures
Online Gallery of 2021 Seeing Youth Futures Photo Contest Winners
May 2021 Annual Gathering
The second Communities Building Youth Futures Annual Gathering brought together 389 participants (including 85 youth) across North America.
Blog posts
- GUIDE | Innovative Project Guides (tamarackcommunity.ca)
- A Student’s Guide on Developing Evaluation Questions towards a Program Evaluation
- A Young Student’s Guide to Partnering with Community-Based Organizations
- Tips on how to support autonomy within a youth sport program
- Why Do YOU Need to Re-evaluate and Re-assess?
We wish to thank our partners and CBYF communities for a great 2021 and we are ever grateful for your vision and commitment to Building Youth Futures. Wishing you a peaceful and restful holiday season.
Sincerely,
Nathalie and the CBYF team
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