June 30, 2009 - Submitted to MapleLine Magazine
In the last few months we have been bombarded with negative statistics telling us of the despairing facts of life for so many in our province. Cutbacks to programs for those most at risk have brought higher health and policing costs and record numbers of homeless. The highest child poverty rate in Canada, reductions in education funding and high post secondary education costs have created serious barriers for many of our children. With our kids facing these and so many other obstacles, they must be wondering what the future holds for them.
Despite the gloom we see in the media, our youth are surprisingly upbeat about the future and seem to be ready to face the challenges of their generation. One of the many rewards of serving as a local MLA is attending graduation ceremonies. Over the past few weeks I have had the privilege of participating in award and recognition ceremonies as well as graduation events at both Belmont and Edward Milne Community School.
To quote an old song from the 60s by The Who, I am happy to report that the kids are alright. Graduation rates are still among the highest in the province, scholarship and bursary statistics continue to be very impressive. Environmental awareness is at all time highs. Graduates and returning students alike are leading by example, looking at tough issues like climate change and food security. Global challenges indeed, but our young people are attacking the problems of our time with small sized, local solutions.
Amid the economic downturn, a new initiative has been quietly getting underway. Led by our very own Sooke youth, the newly formed Sooke Youth Council is made up of a group of young people, aged 13 to 18, interested in providing new opportunities for youth to be positive leaders in their community. Their mission is to improve the perception and outlook of Sooke youth through positive engagement. They are striving to be a vehicle for teens to foster a commitment to their community, feel a sense of responsibility, connection and accountability in how their community progresses. They want to empower young people to become active participants in community life and not just care about issues that affect them and their peers. The Council is looking to pave the way for Sooke kids by building stronger connections and creating a community more inclusive of youth.
Some of the Council's objectives for the 2009 term are to facilitate a community clean up, organize a youth network dance and community fundraiser and explore opportunities to engage volunteers in revamping and expanding recreational spaces, just to name a few. These objectives may seem ambitious, but their energy and determination leaves me with no doubt that they will more than meet their goals.
However, like any new community initiative, lack of interest, funding and ongoing support will curtail its success. What can be done to support the Sooke Youth Council in meeting or even exceeding these goals? How can they be of interest to you, and support the community and your business in the long run? How can you be an adult champion for the youth in Sooke? Contact them to find out: http://www.sookeyouth.ca/
With Sooke growing as quickly as it is, it brings many questions to the forefront. How do we want our community to progress? How do we meet our goals and how do our children fit into the equation? Our young people will be our future leaders, the ones making the decisions, the ones who will fix the problems left by previous generations. How can we entice our children to return to us as doctors, nurses, educators, entrepreneurs, as leaders? How a community raises their children determines not only the child's success but the success of the community.
John Horgan, MLA
Juan de Fuca
