Photo courtesy of Red Fox Healthy Living Society, taken by Tori Lemire
CHILD & YOUTH FRIENDLY Leisure & Social Organizations
These indicators have been compiled with a grading system to help you and your community think through aspects of child and youth friendliness in each domain.
A grading system allows you to recognize that (for most of these indicators) there are many steps between 'not at all child and youth friendly' and 'extremely child and youth friendly'. Your community may fall somewhere in the middle on many of the indicators.
For each indicator, try to grade your community out of 10.
1 being "Not at all child and youth friendly",
5 being "some positive aspects but some changes could be made" and
10 being "We are a leader in child and youth friendly practices".
This is designed to be printed and done communally.
FEATURES OF CHILD AND YOUTH FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES
a wide range of recreation programs are offered that are inclusive of children and youth of all ages
a wide range of recreation programs are offered that are for children of all abilities
a wide range of recreation programs are offered that encourage equal participation of all genders
a wide range of recreation programs are offered that support intergenerational interactions
a wide range of recreation programs are offered that encourage children and youth to be creative
there are opportunities for all children and youth to participate in cooperative games
a reasonable balance is maintained between fun and skill development, and competition and cooperation
staff and volunteers are carefully screened
staff and volunteers are inclusive and welcoming to young people, children, and teens
staff encourage the participation of children and youth with disabilities
staff have been provided training opportunities to help them understand child rights
staff and volunteers are trained in first aid, abuse/neglect issues, child rights programming, and activities that teach children and youth about their rights
washrooms suit different types of families and family compositions
change rooms work for families with children of different sexes and of different ages
change tables are accessible to both parents
washrooms are gender neutral
spaces are accessible to all children and youth, including those with disabilities
priority is given to child and youth programs in booking public spaces (e.g., soccer fields and multipurpose rooms)
meeting space for community youth organizations is available for free, especially during critical hours (3 - 6pm school days and school holidays)
private breastfeeding areas/quiet rooms are always available
space is allocated specifically for youth, such as youth centres
information about child rights is publically posted
drop-in activities for families with young children are welcoming of parents and grandparents from all backgrounds
programs involve children and youth with nature
leadership training programs are offered for children and youth including self-advocacy programs
'cultural buddy' programs are available that pair up new immigrants with more established immigrant youth
there are opportunities for older children and youth to play leadership roles and to act as mentors for younger children
mentorship programs are supported with training for youth mentors and young children as mentees
mentorship programs are well advertised and are open to all young people
a range of services are available for youth, including physical and mental health and employment counseling
programs are offered that teach everyday living knowledge (e.g., composting, gardening, cooking, cycling)
programs are available that help students with their studies/homework
hours of operation in safe spaces for youth are extended to later in the evening and on weekends
a youth advisory board is part of the management structure of recreation services and organizations
input of children, youth and parents are valued as important indicators for program evaluation
meaningful volunteer activities are offered for youth
programs to train staff members who supervise children and youth in play
programming that is more inclusive by having offerings in different languages or second language support staff
programs promote building of friendships & social inclusion; programs that are value and or asset-based
programs target both children and their families
programs that are participatory and give children and youth the opportunity to share their opinions
publicly subsidized services are accessible at little to no cost for low-income families, in a non-stigmatizing way
publicly subsidized services are accessible at little to no cost for young people directly
child rights policies are upheld that promote gender equality
a budget is allocated to children and youth
organizations are accessible through social media
community festivals and events are offered that are readily available and accessible to children and youth
children and youth are involved in planning community festivals and events
children and youth are involved in volunteering at community festivals and events
children and youth are involved in presenting at community festivals and events
children and youth are involved in participating in community festivals and events
sites are checked regularly to ensure a safe environment for recreation
OUR COMMUNITY IS
1- UNFRIENDLY 5- OK 10-A LEADER
