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Youth Council launching in Red Deer

Apr 13, 2018 | 11:59 PM

The Red Deer Youth Council wants you.

The new group for 14-19-year-olds is just coming together with the formation of its founding committee.

Once formed, the youth council’s executive will have representation on what’s known as the Youth Strategy Collective Impact, an initiative funded by The City of Red Deer and United Way Central Alberta.

Several local agencies currently sit on the Collective, including Central Alberta Refugee Effort, YouthHQ, Red Deer Native Friendship Society and the John Howard Society.

Danielle Black Fortin, who is part of the group helping get the youth council off the ground, says this is something Red Deer needs.

“Organizations that are trying to make programs for youth can go to them and ask for youth input, and youth in the community who have questions or concerns can also come to the council and have their issues dealt with,” she says.

“If a youth has a concern about something, where do they go right now? How do they ask the questions and who’s helping?”

Ursella Khan, a grade 12 student at Lindsay Thurber who also serves on the provincial Minister’s Youth Council, says it’s about time Red Deer’s youth were better heard.

“This is our city as well,” she proclaims. “I was part of the youth council in Grande Prairie and we did an event for International Youth Day, or just for youth to come out, meet each other, and talk about things they want to improve, like the transportation system.”

Khan says ultimately, youth deserve more credit, pointing to the March For Our Lives in the U.S. and the debate over lowering the voting age in British Columbia as evidence.

“Youth have a voice and we are giving them the platform to use it,” Khan says.

The Red Deer Youth Council website states its objectives include becoming a positive advocate for youth, hosting events for youth, developing and implementing a mission, vision and strategy, and gaining exposure to and support from Red Deer city council.

Mayor Tara Veer figures that as one of the youngest communities in the country, Red Deer’s youth should have a lot to offer.

“Red Deer has actually a long and very proud history of youth becoming organized all across the city and on any number of different fronts,” Veer says. “This does seem to be a very authentic step in terms of catalyzing youth and bringing youth together in order to do what they can to engage in community life.”

To apply, contact the Red Deer Youth Council through its Facebook page. The youth council will begin by meeting twice  a month before a full launch in the fall.