Press Release: New Report shows that Toronto’s youth face barriers in accessing the space they need to work, gather and play

Posted on 05. Jul, 2011 by in In The Media, Reports, SPT News

Social Planning Toronto and the SPACE Coalition have released a report entitled Another Winter, Another Spring: Toronto Youth Speaking Out about Space, highlighting the lack of accessible, affordable and appropriate space in Toronto for the City’s youth

A report released on July 5, 2011 by Social Planning Toronto and the SPACE Coalition (Saving Public Access to Community Space Everywhere) entitled Another Winter, Another Spring: Toronto Youth Speak Out about Space reveals the importance of youth having access to public space and identifies continuing barriers that youth face when they attempt to access space.

Click here to read the full report.

“The importance of belonging is a fundamental need for all of us,” says Irwin Elman, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, “We know that safe spaces are crucial in meeting that need for young people. I am troubled by the lack of access to these spaces in Toronto and across the Province.”

Youth use space in a number of ways. Space is critical to the development of youth-led enterprises and to run extracurricular activities. It is where young people can spend time with friends, develop skills or access services. It is used to nurture artistic creativity and innovation.

“It all begins with space – you can’t run programs, start businesses or spend time with friends without an accessible, welcoming and affordable space. The provincial government’s commitment to community access to schools has made great improvements in allowing community groups to use space in schools,” says Susan Fletcher, Chair of the SPACE Coalition. “However, youth in our communities continue to experience particular challenges in accessing space in schools, recreation centres and other community facilities.”

Policies, procedures and attitudes directed toward young people and access to space directly impact how “welcome” or “safe” youth feel, as well as what they are capable of creating. The SPACE Coalition report includes a number of recommendations aimed at improving these access issues facing so many young people.  Solving this problem will require leadership at the provincial and municipal levels and will also require listening and engaging with youth advisors to ensure that community space is opened up to enhance their opportunities for growth and development.

“While the many benefits that result from community use of public spaces are well documented, youth organizations struggle to access affordable space to create environments where they feel included,” says John Campey, Executive Director of Social Planning Toronto. “Yet when you do invest in young people and space the possibilities of what they can create are extraordinary.”

For more information please contact:

Susan Fletcher, SPACE Coalition & Executive Director, Applegrove Community Complex

416-461-8143 or susan@applegrovecc.ca

Javid, Program Coordinator, LOFT Youth Centre for Social Enterprise & Innovation

416-534-8941 x 28 or javid@conc.ca

John Campey, Executive Director, Social Planning Toronto,

416-351-0095-260 or jcampey@socialplanningtoronto.org

Keddone Dias, Youth Program Supervisor, Rathburn Area Youth,

416-626-6068 or keddoned@lampchc.org

Irwin Elman, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth,

416-325-5669 or irwin.elman@provincialadvocate.on.ca

 

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