News release
May 22, 2014
Forum planned to discuss goals and strategies to end youth homelessness in Kingston and Area
Kingston’s second forum to discuss strategies to end youth homelessness is scheduled May 23rd at the Ambassador Conference Resort. United Way has been working on an action plan, in close collaboration with youth and a steering committee and with resources from a national pilot project, “Mobilizing Local Capacity to End Youth Homelessness in Canada.”
The Steering Committee will present the Action Plan at this session. They will seek input and guidance from stakeholders and community leaders, working with facilitators to translate strategies into an action plan with clear goals, objectives and timelines. With this input, the United Way will develop a report which will be released in the fall of 2014.
This Action Plan brings the community one step closer towards a positive development framework focusing on strengthening the assets and resiliency factors that all young people need to lead a healthy life.
“The project focuses on youth, aged 15-24”, says Bhavana Varma, president & CEO, United Way of KFL&A. “Through this work, we continue to be impressed with the courage and resiliency of young people in our region who do not have a permanent home. The committee has spent the last year researching the issue and consulting with community youth and stakeholders. This action plan provides insight into the reality of youth homelessness in Kingston and area, with some clearly identified steps we can take together to end youth homelessness.”
Last year, Kingston was selected to be one of two communities (the other being Kamloops B.C.) to participate in a national pilot project, with the objective to develop a plan on mobilizing local capacity to end youth homelessness in mid-sized communities. For the KFL&A region, the project is led by the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington.
A Steering Committee has guided the project with input from a Youth Planning Committee (YPC) made up of youth, including those with lived experience. Members of the YPC worked with steering committee representatives to organize the ‘For Youth, By Youth’ forum in November 2013, which provided the framework for the action plan.
If you would like more information, please visit the United Way website.
About United Way of KFL&A
United Way works with individuals, organizations and key partners to build and strengthen our community, bringing people and resources together to facilitate change. Our vision is a future where people are self-sufficient in a community, where individuals live with hope, dignity and a sense of belonging. Visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca for more information.
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Media Contact:
Bhavana Varma, President & CEO, United Way of KFL&A
613-542-2674, ext. 2, bvarma@unitedwaykfla.ca
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