Recreational Supports For Youth In The West End

[Actual summary letter sent to all participants]

This project was completed by the West Edmonton Services to Teens Team (WESTT) and CBR (then the Community Development office, Caritas Health Group), in 1995, to help connect West End youths with West End Youth Supports.

How Was The Study Conducted?
Two Edmonton Regional Dietetic Internship (ERDI) students who were working with the Community Development office and the WESTT group took on the project and set out to answer the following questions:

Recreational Supports for Youth in the West End - are there any places located in West Edmonton (Yellowhead Trail, north of the river and west of 142 St.) that offer recreational activities for youth living in the West End? If so, do they provide a safe, wholesome environment on a regular basis, with role models, and are they low in cost?

• General Youth Supports - what printed resources (i.e. books and pamphlets) on agencies/organizations that provide general support services to youth are available?

To answer these questions, an attempt was made to survey 116 businesses and organizations. 97 were successfully contacted and surveys were completed.

What Were The Results?
37 of the 97 organizations surveyed offer recreational activities to youth. Significant findings include:

• thirty structured programs
• twenty-four drop-in programs
• four were youth driven
• thirty-four were supervised
• thirty-six were free or offered at minimal cost

These results have been summarized on the "Recreational Supports for Youth Located in West Edmonton for Youth Living in the West End" resource list. The definitions for the different categories used to meet the criteria are as follows:

• Conditions
  - Each program or activity may include one or a combination of the following: some form of membership, registration, certain period commitment to the program or entry into an activity only if accompanied by a member of the organization.
• Drop in
  - A place where youth may attend the activities offered at any time with or without minimal notice in advance. The activity or program may or may not be supervised or structured at all times.
• Minor Costs
  - The program is usually free with some exceptions, e.g. activities requiring cost like bowling, registration, membership Jr. high males or females who are 11- 15 years old.
• Open to the public
  - The program or activities are open to anyone in the general public; however, registration may be required in advance for the activities. This category may or may not be opened on a "drop in" basis.
• Structured
  - Activities and programs are planned ahead of time. * Supervised - The activities or programs are monitored by an adult(s) to ensure a safe environment is maintained.
• Wholesome
  - An environment free of alcohol, drugs and smoking.
• Youth driven
  - Youth determine what activities or programs they would like to have. These activities are usually facilitated by an adult(s) and developed in part by the youth who wish to participate in the activities.

A general resource list of supports for youth in Edmonton and a general resource list of supports for youth located in the West End has also been developed and is available upon request.

What Questions Emerged From The Study?

• Why the lower number of supports in the south of Whitemud area?
• What to do about letting the drop in places, especially churches know ahead of time if more kids are going to be using their supports, so they can be prepared, (ie. extra vehicles may be needed for transportation to activities held off site?
• Would it be beneficial if the individuals referring a youth to an organization make the initial contact on behalf of the youth to ensure the youth is connected with the activities ?
• Would Linking youth with "youth driven" programs help them fulfil their own needs and develop their own skills?

If you have any questions about this survey or would like more information, please contact our office.

http://www.cbr-aimhigh.com