Youth skate jam, theater workshop unveiled by the Social Development Council

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Young people can expect to see a range of fun programs launched this summer, facilitated by SDG, Cornwall and Area’s Social Development Council (SDC).

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On July 27 and August 3, youth ages 11 to 17 are invited to sign up to participate in a youth skate jam held at Akwesasne Skate Park. Similarly, the same age group is invited to register for a youth theater workshop at the Seaway Valley Theater on July 10 or July 24. These programs will encourage team building, trust and creativity and are two examples of initiatives that SDC is organizing funding from Building Safer Communities.

Last year, SDC was selected to lead micro-grants and programming opportunities on behalf of the City of Cornwall as part of the Building Safer Communities fund provided by the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. The funding spans 3.5 years and encourages support for municipalities and Indigenous governments in their efforts to address youth involvement in gun and gang violence through the implementation of community-led prevention projects and programs.

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Since the pandemic, incidents involving youth and police have increased across Canada, and Cornwall is no exception. In June, Cornwall Police Chief Shawna Spowart reflected in 2023 statistics presented to the police board, indicating that 18% of all violent crime in the city was among young people, involving 538 incidents.

“Through the Building Safer Communities grant … you’re going to see, we’re going to launch a lot of these programs,” Cassandra Forget said.

Forget the aforementioned youth can expect to see skating opportunities, Nerf battles, dances and more.

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“We will also have monthly youth nights: it will be a combination of partnering with community partners who are positive mentors who have an existing platform in the community.”

Forget mentioned at the end of 2023, her agency All Intentions Matter was able to offer a month of free activities to young people supported by SDC through the grant. Various other organizations benefited from the micro-grant program and SDC’s youth advisory board played a role in evaluating the grant recipients, including: Diversity Cornwall, Native North American Traveling College, United Way Centraide SDG, Center 105, BGC Cornwall/SDG and more.

“We have identified a strong preference among youth for programs that offer fitness, arts and culture, and recreational activities without the barriers of cost and transportation. In response, we have partnered with local businesses to offer these programs for free,” SDC executive director Carilyne Hébert said during the organization’s AGM held on Tuesday.

Since 2023, the Building Safer Communities fund has supported programs such as outdoor fitness and the Rotary Outdoor Gym Youth Workshop Series.

To learn more, follow SDC on social media and visit www.sdccornwall.ca/bsc-microgrant.

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