A week dedicated to youth is as much about drawing attention to their needs and accomplishments as it is about introducing them to everything that’s available in their own backyard.
The National Youth Week flag was raised Monday at the Orillia Opera House, where Mayor Steve Clarke highlighted the importance of recognizing youth locally.
Twenty-five per cent of Orillia’s population is older than 65, and that demographic needs support and attention, Clarke said, but added “the same is very, very true” for youth, who need access to employment, shelter, food security and other supports.
“When you provide those opportunities, the rest falls into place,” he said.
National Youth Week has been marked in Orillia for almost a decade. The Orillia Youth Opportunities Committee used to organize all of the events, but community partners have come on board over the years.
“It’s grown every single year in terms of the groups that are involved,” said Kevin Gangloff, director of the Orillia Youth Centre.
The City of Orillia, Orillia Public Library, and Orillia Museum of Art and History are among those offering free activities for youth this week, and having multiple organizations involved shows young residents what opportunities are available.
If that means they go somewhere other than the youth centre for activities, Gangloff is OK with that.
“It’s a good idea to highlight that stuff to youth. You want the youth to go back afterward,” Gangloff said. “We see a lot of our youth seven days a week, so why not get them out to other places in the community?”
This is the first time the Orillia Youth Opportunities Committee has not chaired the event locally. The library has taken on that task this year.
The library will host a kick-off celebration Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m., with music, art, pizza and more. It will then host a writing workshop Wednesday at 4 p.m. with Toronto author M-E Girard.
The number of youth-led activities has also increased. They were involved in organizing a youth dance that will take place Saturday night at the Geneva Event Centre.
“It’s been fun to see it grow every year along with the community support,” said Gangloff, who thanked the community partners for offering free programming this week. “You’re showing youth that their community cares about them.”
For more information, including a complete list of events, check out the Orillia National Youth Week Facebook page or call the youth centre at 705-325-8082.
