Municipality of Chatham-Kent
Recognized as ‘Youth Friendly Community’
Chatham-Kent (September 27, 2005) – The Play Works Partnership - a group of organizations concerned about the future of youth, will celebrate the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and eight other Ontario communities as the first recipients of the distinctive Play Works Youth Friendly Community Recognition program in Burlington today.
Together with Mayors from Port Hope, Aurora, Ajax, Pickering, South Huron, Burlington, and mayoral representatives from Markham and Peterborough, Mayor Diane Gagner will be presented with a Play Works Youth Friendly Community Recognition plaque; recognizing the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, as actively supporting and providing opportunities for the growth and development of youth (ages 13-19) through play.
The Youth Friendly Community Recognition program celebrates communities across Ontario that are taking steps to open their doors to youth by reinvesting in youth play. Mayor Diane Gagner says, "Young people are the foundation of our community's future sustainability and viability. As Community Leaders, we must ensure that our communities invest appropriately in that future."
According to the report ‘The Cost of Excluding Ontario’s Youth from Play’ which was released today by the Play Works Partnership and Dr. Mark Totten; play is a fundamental adolescent need, essential for emotional, social and physical well-being. It is any non-school activity that has elements of choice, leads to satisfaction, and encourages progressive learning and enjoyment. Play includes recreation, sports, arts, drama, dance, civic engagement, youth activism, volunteerism, social clubs and youth leadership. It is structured and unstructured, facility and non-facility based, competitive and recreation, active and passive, adult-led and peer-led.
“Play is arguably the most important activity through which adolescents learn how to interact socially and develop life skills such as leadership, decision-making and problem solving.” Said Beth Gignac, Play Works Chair. “The value of play is often underestimated but it is vital to the development of a healthy, friendly, more artistic community.”
Communities applying for the designation, aim to demonstrate proficiency in 15 categories. Chatham-Kent met 11 of the 15 criteria. More information, including the criteria, can be found at www.playworkspartnership.ca.