Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Youth Council Applications Now Open for 2023-2024 Term
/The City of Peterborough is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 term of the Peterborough Youth Council.
Young people between the ages of 10 and 21 who live or attend school in Peterborough are invited to apply to become a member of the Council.
The Peterborough Youth Council is a voice for youth in the community. Members can bring their ideas and energy to organizing and being involved in community events.
This is a volunteer position, and the volunteer hours can be used towards students’ Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirement of 40 hours of community involvement.
“The Youth Council is a voice for youth in our community,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, chair of the youth portfolio. “Help us plan events that will resonate with young people in our community. You’ll have fun, meet other young people and gain valuable skills such as organization, communication and teamwork.”
Youth are invited to visit the City’s website to learn more and complete an application. Applications are due by April 28 at 4:30 p.m.
Trillium Grant of $75,000 Gives Yes Shelter Research Funding to Bring Host Homes Program to Peterborough
/The YES Shelter is researching if a Host Homes Program is feasible in Peterborough to prevent youth from entering the shelter system and provide supportive housing after receiving a $75,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant.
The project goal is to determine whether it is viable and ideal to have a Host Home Program for Peterborough City and County. The grant was originally awarded in 2019 but delayed over COVID-19 until last year. Host Homes Program helps youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness have a safe, home-like environment while repairing their relationship with natural supports according to a press release. Youth experiencing trauma that can come with homelessness can be supported through the cause of their housing instability.
The funding aids in staff, research, travel, an ethics board and labour.
“This grant of $75,000 has allowed the YES Shelter for Youth to continue supporting youth and families and addressing youth homelessness,” said MPP Dave Smith. “It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child and the YES Shelter and other community partners have been able to lessen the burden on these youth by providing a safe shelter and other supports they need.”
The program helps prevent anyone aged 16 - 24 from entering the shelter system in Peterborough and gives access to community support. Typical causes of youth homelessness can include family conflict, poverty, and family rejection due to gender identity or sexual orientation according to Aimeé Le Lagadec, YES Shelter executive director.
“There are currently very few supports in place for young people who need to leave home prematurely to maintain their safety and wellbeing,” she said. “This program connects community members with the ability to keep youth safe while they access supports, continue going to school and avoid having to worry about their survival on the streets.”
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Photos: High School Students Stage Protest For Climate Action
/Students from Peterborough Alternative & Continuing Education (PACE) staged a walkout from school and protested to spread awareness about climate change as part of a movement named “Fridays for Future” at Confederation Park on Friday.
The students were part of the Youth Leadership in Sustainability program held in partnership with Trent University.
“In 2019, the city announced a climate crisis and they also committed to reducing greenhouse gases by 40 per cent by 2031. We're here to remind them of that promise and make sure they're upholding and making actions to get there,” said Aisling MacQuarrie, grade 11 student. “We wanted to try to make more of a difference in our community.”
Fridays for Future is a youth-led global climate strike movement that started in August 2018 when then 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began a school strike for the climate.
For three weeks leading up to the election, she sat outside Swedish Parliament every school day, demanding action on the climate crisis.
Peterborough Police Lay 70 Traffic Related Charges In First Week Of School
/The Back-to-School Traffic Safety Initiative between Peterborough County, Township of Cavan Monaghan and the Peterborough Police Service has safety at the forefront with 70 charges laid in the first week.
Between September 6-9, officers laid the following charges:
Speeding: 42
Distracted Driving: 1
Crosswalk Offences: 2
Permit Violations: 23
Unsafe Vehicles: 2 (Towed from Highway)