Grande Prairie, AB - 2012

Grande prairie twenty twelve-twenty thirteen

Let’s get talking.

Let’s take action.

VITAL youth and YOUNG ADULTS

Vital Youth & Young Adults Grande Prairie is a

snapshot of the experiences and perspectives of young people living, working or going to school in our city. It combines research with the opinions of local 15-24-year-olds, giving young people a new voice and the opportunity to take action and influence everyday issues impacting their lives.

Survey Highlights In November/December 2012, we conducted a month-long online engagement survey. We invited youth and young adults aged 15-24 who work, live or go to school in Grande Prairie to have their say.

703 young people responded.

With big city conveniences and a small town feel, Grande Prairie is a great place to be. We value a sense of belonging, whether it be with family, friends, or the community at large.

While about 2/3 of us who responded feel connected to community, about 1/3 feel “hardly” or “not at all” connected. Those of us who volunteer feel a stronger sense of connection to our community (80%), compared to those of us who do not (55%).

Speed of life is taking a toll. Many of us who are not volunteering said we are too busy navigating increasingly complex lifestyles. Pressures of school, working one or several jobs, and family commitments leave little time to volunteer.

We like the abundant job opportunities; however, we want our workplaces to reflect our values.

Support finding jobs that match our skills and more meaningful jobs for young people are two of our key priorities.

The ability to get around our city whether it be public transportation, taxi, car, bicycle, in a wheelchair, on foot or on rollerblades is an area in need of improvement. And we’re decisive in what we’d like to see changed.

We’d like to see more spaces designated for young people in Grande Prairie – places where we can just be. Low cost or free access to arts, recreation and social activities are also important to us.

For more in-depth information on our survey, data and sources visit www.buildingtomorrowtoday.com

Who are the survey participants?

34%

ARE 18-24 YEARS

63% FEMALE 37% MALE

61% have lived in the region over 10 years 25% five years or less | 8% one year or less

14%

have moved two or more times in the past year

97%

81% live with immediate family

report English is the main language spoken at home

55% live in the City 43% live in the County 59% go to high school 21% are in post-secondary 12% work full-time | 47% work part-time 5% work seasonally Most unemployed young people reported they are too busy with school for a job

How connected do you feel to your community?

19% 51% 17% 13%

Very Somewhat Hardly Not at all

Do you volunteer?

46% 54%

Yes No

KIDSPORT GRANDE PRAIRIE & AREA

272

children and youth aged 18 and under received support in 2011 to participate in organized sport

74

of those were 12-18-years-old

HOW IS GRANDE PRAIRIE DOING?

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT ARTS SCENE

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE OR TWO THINGS IN THIS AREA, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Lower costs for arts & music programs/events 37% Better promotion of youth/young adult arts & music events 30% More public places for young artists and musicians to showcase our talents 30% A place for young artists and musicians to gather and "hang out" 25% Better use of the Muskoseepi Park stage to showcase young talent 25%

HEALTH & WELLNESS

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE OR TWO THINGS IN THIS AREA, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? More affordable gym/recreation programs 44% Easier access to counselling and support services 34% More youth trained to recognize stress and turmoil in other youth 31% Clinics for youth/young adults 30% Easier access to confidential physical health advice/information 28% Better promotion of health resources and services for young people 27% More mental health and addiction support services 27%

SPACES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE OR TWO THINGS IN THIS AREA, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Affordable "hang out" space with a coffee house atmosphere 53% Greater variety of activities for young people 48% More affordable or free youth/young adult activities 47% Incentives for young people to use recreation facilities 36% More neighborhood parks designed to include young people's interests (not just playgrounds) 29%

CULTURE, IDENTITY & BELONGING IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE OR TWO THINGS IN THIS AREA, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? More volunteer opportunities geared to young people 44% More cultural events highlighting the different cultures in our City 41% Greater awareness of cultural issues and challenges facing young people 38% Greater awareness of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) issues and challenges facing young people 36%

GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL COLLEGE 2011 - 2012 Overall student enrolment decrease 2010-11 (3,800) 2011-12 (3,795)

GETTING AROUND

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE OR TWO THINGS IN THIS AREA, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Lower gas prices for vehicles 49% Walking bridge over bypass near Peace Wapiti Academy and the Composite High School 42% Safer sidewalks for boarding, rollerblading, strollers, wheelchairs 38% Improve the City bus system 37% Bike paths that link schools and workplaces 30%

Full-time decrease

Put sidewalks in all neighborhoods 25%

Part-time increase

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE OR TWO THINGS IN THIS AREA, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

3.8% 13.9% A large portion of students were working while attending school.

Average student age 26

More affordable taxi cabs 23%

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Lower tuition costs 46% More post-secondary programs in Grande Prairie 38% More life skills education and help budgeting in high school 36% Smaller class sizes 29%

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT VOICE

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE OR TWO THINGS IN THIS AREA, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Increase options for young people to have a say 42% Easier access to information about the decisions the City makes 39% Find ways to make elections and politics more relevant and meaningful for young people 32% Youth forums where government and decision makers hear directly from young people 32% Raise profile of the Grande Prairie Youth Council 23%

EMPLOYMENT

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE OR TWO THINGS IN THIS AREA, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Support finding jobs that match my skills 45% More meaningful jobs for young people 44% Better on-the-job training 32% More help with resume and interview preparation 30%

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE OR TWO THINGS IN THIS AREA, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Safer downtown area 39% RENTAL ACCOMMODATION (two-bedroom) Grande Prairie CA

1.8%

Better relationship between police and young people 36% Initiatives to eliminate all forms of bullying (online, school, workplace, etc.) 34% More access to RCMP School Resource Officers 25% On-the-job safety training for young people 25% Safer taxi cabs 24%

Vacancy rate in 2012 2011 (4.9%)

GREEN SCENE – ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS & ACTION

2010 (12.2%)

$1004

per month

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE OR TWO THINGS IN THIS AREA, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? More trees

48%

Average rent in 2012

More recycling bins in and around public buildings 44%

2011 ($891)

Create more green spaces (parks) 39%

2010 ($843)

Blue bag recycling for apartments 32% Reduce our reliance on cars/trucks 29% More community initiatives to clean up garbage

27%

HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE OR TWO THINGS IN THIS AREA, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Affordable housing (includes student housing) 53% More housing options for youth/young adults living on their own 38% Lower utility costs 38% Longer stays in shelters 30%

Peers Helping Peers

The Community Helpers Program identifies the "natural helpers" who youth already identify with when they have a mental health problem. Helpers receive training to improve their capacity to help others.

In 2011-12, 44 youth and 5 adults were trained.

In 2012-13, an estimated 120 youth and 15 adults will be trained.

Fiscal year April 1-March 31 Suicide Prevention Resource Program

THANKS SUPPORT

Employee Charitable Donations Fund (a legacy Peace Country Health fund)

SURVEY DRAW PRIZES Hi-Tech Business Systems Ltd. Kentucky Fried Chicken Esquires Coffee Houses The Grande Prairie Keg & Steakhouse

YOUTH/YOUNG ADULT PROJECT SUPPORT Grande Prairie Composite High School Peace Wapiti Academy St. Joseph Catholic High School Grande Prairie Regional College Grande Prairie Youth Council Grande Prairie Rotaract Club

VITAL YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE Brian Glavin City of Grande Prairie, Economic Development Dr. Bruce Rutley Centre for Research & Innovation Dr. Connie Korpan Grande Prairie Regional College Donelda Laing City of Grande Prairie, Community Social Development Donna Koch AHS North Zone, Population and Public Health, Addiction and Mental Health Garry Roth City of Grande Prairie, Community Living Leonard Scharbach Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie Dale Tiedemann City of Grande Prairie, Community Social Development Youth Services

PRODUCTION TEAM Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie Tracey Vavrek Patricia Colosimo-Andreeff Leah Price Project Manager April Weavell, Regatta Communications

www.buildingtomorrowtoday.com | 780.538.2820 www.facebook.com/cfggp www.twitter.com/cfggp

CREATIVE DESIGN