Networking sessions focus on Youth

The first in a series of networking sessions for people working with youth in the central region begins Thursday, February, 21 at The Brittany Inn in Lewisporte.

The sessions are aimed at improving information sharing between sectors and organizations about issues affecting youth and the services provided for them. The idea is to develop a network of organizations in the central region that are better connected and informed about each other�s work so young people receive the best possible service.

The event is an initiative of the Central Region Steering Committee for the Strategic Social Plan.

"Youth have been identified as a priority by the Central Region Steering Committee of the Strategic Social Plan," said Committee Chair Walwin Blackmore. "We want to help our young citizens reach their full potential and keep them in Newfoundland and Labrador because we know they are the future of our province."

With young people in mind, the steering committee has to date appointed a youth representative to the committee, established a task group on student transition from high school to post-secondary, held a youth forum on leadership and community involvement, and have supported youth initiatives in a variety of ways.

The first session will be facilitated by Denise Walsh, Central Region Coordinator for Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador Youth (FINALY!). Following sessions are tentatively scheduled for May, September and December. Other locations have not yet been determined.

"Ultimately, we hope to bring people together to network, share ideas and establish a more coordinated approach to service delivery for our young people," said Mr. Blackmore. "Better coordination of services is one of the goals of the SSP."

The Central Region Steering Committee was established in 1999 to implement the Strategic Social Plan in the central region. Membership includes representatives from boards of health, education, economic development, the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and agency partners.

The focus of the SSP is to improve long term opportunities for people, and better coordinate service delivery through planning, consulting and collaborating across governments, sectors, and with community partners.

For more information on the youth networking sessions, please contact Heather Hillier, regional planner of the Central Region Steering Committee at (709) 535-0901.

Media contact: Marcia Porter, Communications, (709) 729-0175.

2002 02 11                         10:30 a.m.