Dimension ’98 Project (M. Phair).

Recommendation:
That this report be received for information.

Report Summary

  • This is an information report responding to Councillor Phair’s request for information regarding the Dimensions ’98 Project. It describes the project and partners; indicates the project’s intended impact, benefits and value for youth; summarizes the Administration’s assessment of the project; and indicates the financial support being requested.

Previous Council/Committee Action

At the February 17, 1998 meeting of City Council, Councillor Phair made the following inquiry:

“I understand that Community Services is a member of a partnership group that includes the Boys and Girls Clubs and a group of community leagues that have developed the Dimension ’98 project for youth and that on behalf of the group the Boys and Girls Club is seeking financial support from the City. I would like the following information:

  1. A brief description of Dimension ’98 and its partners.
  2. The impact, benefits and value such a program will have on the youth it proposes to serve.
  3. The Department’s assessment of the Dimension ’98 project.
  4. Financial support that is being sought.

I would like this report to return to the Community Services Committee by the end of March or early April.”

Report

The report addresses Councillor Phair’s four questions. A more extensive overview and analysis can be found in Attachment 1.

  1. The Dimensions ‘98 project and its partners:
  • The project is a community process which will generate a package of spring and summer recreation programs with specific social benefits.
  • It targets children and youth ages six - 17 years, their families, and the rest of the community in Mayfield, High Park, McQueen, Grovenor, Canora, Britannia/Youngstown, Glenwood, West Jasper/Sherwood, and Crestwood neighbourhoods.
  • There will be afternoon and evening programs at local sites and out of town camping expeditions. Programs will run from the beginning of May to the end of August.
  • The programs are designed to develop individuals and support their families, in order to strengthen communities.
  • The partnership involves community leagues, agencies, schools, the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Edmonton, and Edmonton Community Services.
  • A committee of representatives from the active partners oversees the project.
  1. The intended impact, benefits and value for youth are extensive:
  • An anticipated 375 to 650 children and youth will be involved. Daily attendance is estimated at 100 participants in May/June and 250 for July/August.
  • The program staff will direct youth into activities that are challenging, high energy and educational. They will provide positive alternatives to self-destructive behaviour, serving as a vehicle for improving social conditions.
  • The programs will be highly attractive, non-discriminatory and inclusive of all children and youth. Effort will be made to ensure accessibility. Making connections with youth wherever they gather in the community will increase the project’s effectiveness.
  • Dimensions ’98 programs will run for 17 weeks, compared to seven weeks for the City’s traditional summer program. The continuity in program availability will help increase the gains youth make over the winter and reduce youths’ return to unproductive behaviour.
  1. The Administration’s assessment notes many positive aspects to the project:
  • It demonstrates a good community-based, grassroots approach to providing programs.
  • The programs will be more comprehensive and in depth than anything otherwise available.
  • There will be 50 hours of programming per week during July/August, compared to 32.5 hours per week for the traditional City sponsored playground program.
  • The targeted area includes three “high needs” neighbourhoods.
  • The project will address the issues of Aboriginal populations who are disproportionately represented in these communities.
  • The community will benefit from participants learning to make positive choices and becoming involved in their community.
  • The project capitalizes on the expertise and experience of all the partners.
  1. The project’s 1998 budget is $134,000. The Community Services Department has committed $6,125, previously allocated for these neighbourhoods’ 1998 recreation programs. Funding is being pursued from the following organizations:
  • Alberta Sport Recreation Parks & Wildlife Foundation
  • Stollery Foundation
  • Edmonton Community Foundation and Winspear Fund
  • Minerva Foundation
  • STEP and SCP programs (wage subsidies)
  • Melcor Developments Ltd.
  • IPSCO Inc.
  • Xerox Canada Ltd., Community Involvement Program
  • Various small businesses

In addition, a funding request will likely be submitted to Community and Family Services Advisory Committee (CAFSAC) for 1998 FCSS funding.

Budget / Financial Implications

  • The Dimensions ’98 partnership is new and has never received any funding from the City, although individual partners do receive varying degrees of City support.
  • The Department has no ability to contribute further operational funds to this project. Its program budget is completely committed, with $1,225 allowed per participating neighbourhood for the seven week summer playground program.

Background Information Attached

  1. Overview and Assessment of the Dimensions ’98 Project
  2. Program Statement - Dimensions ’98 Project
  3. Dimensions ’98 - A Joint Proposal for Summer Programs
  4. Summary of Needs Assessments, Surveys and Demographic Statistics

Background Information Available on Request

  1. Original of documents reviewed in Summary of Needs Assessments...
  2. Letters of Support

Staff Hours to Prepare Report: 6

Staff Cost:$200.00

Peripheral Cost:

Total Cost of Inquiry Preparation:$200.00

(Page 1 of 3)

Attachment 1

Overview and Assessment of the Dimensions ’98 Project

1)A Brief Description of Dimensions ‘98 and its partners

The Project:

Dimensions ‘98 is both a community process and a multi-dimensional package of spring and summer programs. It targets children and youth, their families, and the rest of the community members in nine neighbourhoods. These form the catchment area for the West Edmonton Youth and Neighbourhood Centre located in Britannia/Youngstown.

The Dimensions ‘98 process empowers community members to take responsibility for their community’s needs. Through the process, the community forms partnerships, pools resources, and delivers programs to achieve outcomes desired by the community. Dimensions ‘98 is a pilot project for future community-driven Dimensions programming in the area. It is also a model for how communities can form partnership to address grassroots needs.

The community-based programs will operate at various local sites for easy access. Programs will run in neighbourhood parks, community halls, schools, the West Edmonton Youth and Neighbourhood Centre, locations elsewhere in the area and Edmonton, and at provincial parks and in the mountains. Incorporating traditional City neighbourhood playground programs, Dimensions ‘98 will run regular programs in each of the participating communities as well as special community events. The programs are designed to develop self-reliance, responsibility, and self-esteem. Participants will learn life, leadership and social skills while involved in arts, sports, career development, club, and social activities.

Afternoon and evening programs and camping trips will fill the off-season gap in area programs during May through August. The West Jasper Boys’ & Girls’ Club is closed May through September. Community leagues rarely run programs during the summer months. Also, schools are closed, eliminating the many extra-curricular activities. It is estimated that between 250 and 450 children and youth between 6 - 17 years old will be involved. The daily attendance is estimated at 100 participants during May and June and 200 for July and August.

A key component of Dimensions ‘98 is that program leaders will go wherever youth are gathering, from back alleys to parking lots to basketball courts. Dimensions ‘98 will welcome everyone, and will seek out those considered to be causing trouble.

The Partners:

Dimensions ‘98 is a partnership of community organizations, schools, the Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs of Edmonton and Edmonton Community Services. The project is being overseen by a committee of representatives from the active partners, including community league board members from Britannia/Youngstown, Canora, and Grovenor; social workers and community recreation coordinators from Edmonton Community Services; staff from Britannia Junior High School; and program and administrative staff from the Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs of Edmonton. Many others have indicated support, including the High Park, Mayfield and Glenwood Community Leagues, Youngstown Elementary School, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, and Community Development - Capital Health Region. Other stakeholders include Edmonton Police Services and the other neighbourhood schools and community leagues.

Discovering common concerns, community groups and agencies and city employees formed a partnership to pool expertise and resources to address grassroots needs. The goal is to strengthen the community by providing more comprehensive and extensive programming than would be possible if the individual organizations operated independently. The group feels that all children, youth and families have a need for the personal and social benefits that accrue to both the individual and the community through participation in recreation. There has been a low turnout for past summer programs considering the number of children and teens living in the area and the normal daily attendance at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club winter programs. Other primary concerns are drug and alcohol use, gang involvement, vandalism, and feelings of being unsafe that increase during the long summer days when school is out and youth are perceived to be gathering with nothing constructive to do.

2)Impact, benefits and value such a program will have on the youth it proposes to serve

Recreational activities develop individuals and promote health and wellness. Children and adults participating together build strong families resulting in stronger communities. Dimensions ‘98 will increase the benefits to the community by increasing accessibility.

Play is essential to human development. Meaningful leisure activities improve self esteem and provide leadership opportunities. Dimensions ‘98 programs will direct youthful enthusiasm into activities that are challenging, high energy and indirectly educational. These worthwhile leisure opportunities for youth will provide positive lifestyle choices and alternatives to self destructive behaviour. Consequently, the programs will serve as a vehicle for improving social conditions and reduce the high cost of vandalism and criminal activity.

Dimensions ‘98 programs will be non-discriminatory and inclusive of all children and youth in the area, regardless of their socio-economic background. By keeping the programs free, the only cost to participants will be a minimal membership fee which can be paid in cash, or through fundraising or volunteer service. In addition, transportation will be provided to bring participants from their local neighbourhood to the program site(s). Being widely accessible will broaden the project’s impact throughout the community.

The proposed programs are designed to attract even those who usually are not involved in activities in traditional recreational facilities. Making connections with youth where they gather in the community will be key to the effectiveness of the project. Beyond the actual participation of children and youth in programs, Dimensions ‘98 will provide support to families. These connections will strengthen the community.

Because of the partnership, Dimensions ‘98 will encourage community involvement and address the inadequacy of programming that would otherwise be offered. Participants, their families and the other community members involved in the project will develop pride in, responsibility for, and ownership of their community.

3)The Department’s assessment of the Dimensions ‘98 project.

Dimensions '98 is a bold initiative involving community groups and agencies in a unique collaboration. The project demonstrates a good community-based, grassroots approach to providing programs. It is especially distinctive as staff will go directly to where youth hang out. Benefits will accrue from community participation in the process as well as from the participation of children and youth in the programs. By involving such a range of partners, the project goes beyond providing recreational programs. By broadening the scope of what has traditionally been available, Dimensions ‘98 will have an impact that has not been achieved in the past by the partners individually. As a pilot project, the success of the project in 1998 will inspire support for the ongoing delivery of the community directed programs and continue the community development that is accruing.

The targeted area includes three of the eight high needs neighbourhoods identified in northwest Edmonton. Providing support to the family and reaching out to make linkages within the community will have a positive impact on families and society. It will compound the immediate and long term benefits of the project, especially as those youth who are seen as causing problems in the community are sought out and involved. The required membership allows staff to keep basic information on all participants. As a result, staff will be able to intervene and connect the families and broader community when circumstances make it appropriate. Also laudable, programs are scheduled to run at times when potential participants are most in need of positive alternatives.

Members of the Aboriginal community constitute a significant element, comprising a higher than city average portion of the area population. Youth gangs are a problem, with Aboriginal youth among the most vulnerable to being recruited. The project’s sensitivity to Aboriginal issues and to the need for a native presence among staff members will ensure the programs will be accessible to Aboriginals.

At the same time, the project’s emphasis on being inclusive of children and youth from all socio-economic backgrounds ensures that the programs serve the needs of all potential participants. Participants will gain from learning recreational, leadership and life skills and increasing their self-esteem and confidence. The community will benefit from participants learning to make positive choices and becoming involved in their community.

By involving the Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs of Edmonton to implement the programs, Dimensions ‘98 is able to capitalize on the expertise, strengths and successes of the Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs movement in addressing the needs of high need children and youth and their families and communities. The project is able to take advantage of the momentum and connections already established through the regular fall and winter programming by the West Jasper Club. By ensuring continuity in the availability of recreational programs, the gains achieved by club activities are maintained and improved upon, and not lost during the spring and summer months. A more tangible benefit to involving the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs is the use of their facility and the use of the gymnasiums at Britannia Junior High School.

4)Financial Support that is being requested

The proposed budget for the project is $134,000 in order to do programming on a large scale and have community-wide impacts. A range of funding sources have been approached (See Attachment 3), but the extent of support that will be approved is still unknown.

Attachment 1 - Page 1 of 4

Attachment 2

Program Statement – Dimensions ’98 Project

PROGRAM STATEMENT

DIMENSIONS ‘98 PROJECT

serving Britannia/Youngstown, Canora, Crestwood, Glenwood, Grovenor, High Park, Mayfield, McQueen, and West Jasper/Sherwood

December 22, 1997

Prepared by:Terri Lynn AlmedaMary Catharine Macdonald

Community Program DirectorCommunity Recreation Coordinator

Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of EdmontonEdmonton Community Services

Margo Valens

Secretary

Grovenor Community League

Prepared for:Dimensions ‘98 Committee

DIMENSIONS ‘98 PROJECT

Program Statement - Executive Summary

INTRODUCTION

Dimensions ‘98 proposes a number of age-appropriate programs for all 6 - 17 year olds in the targeted area. The goal of the project is to address concerns and issues relating to activities in the area involving children and youth. It will use recreation as a vehicle to address social and life-skill needs of participants. The project emerged as a proposal for more extensive and comprehensive summer programs in the area than have been available to date.

THE PROJECT

The project will provide afternoon and evening programs for children and youth (6 - 17 years) at neighbourhood parks, in community halls, in the West Edmonton Youth and Neighbourhood Centre and other local facilities, at provincial parks and in the mountains, and anywhere else in the target community where youth tend to hang out. During May/June, the programs will be based at the West Edmonton Centre and finishing at an appropriate time for a school day. During July/August, the program base will be expanded to include sites throughout the community and out of the city and will be able to go later into the evening or even overnight.

JUSTIFICATION

The area has a large number of children and youth, many of whom fall into a high risk and/or high needs category. Three of the neighbourhoods in the area have been identified as high need (Britannia/Youngstown, Canora, and Glenwood). Aboriginals make up a higher than city average portion of the population in the area. In addition, the west end is recognized by the Police as having a gang problem.

The spring/summer period (May through September) has a high need for recreational programs:

  • The prime providers in the area (community leagues and West Jasper Boys’ and Girls’ Club) shut down for the summer.
  • The summer is a high risk period for children and youth at loose ends and bored who may be attracted by socially-unacceptable activities.

Community stakeholders feel that the summer programs that have been offered in the past have not been effective in addressing area needs because they are not attracting enough potential participants, nor available at enough of the high risk times of the day.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The project programs must serve all children and youth in the targeted area, regardless of socio-economic background. At the same time, the programs must address the special needs of those in high need and/or high risk categories, especially Aboriginals, without singling out any participants for special attention.