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