The Town of Innisfil’s Building Safer Communities project is a multi-year (2023-2026) crime and violence prevention initiative that aims to proactively build a safer community by addressing the underlying social conditions that give rise to crime and supporting our children, youth, and young adults.
BSCF Support
The project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF). BSCF contributions support new and incremental activities targeting children (6-11), youth (12-17), and young adults (18-26).
The Town of Innisfil’s project includes:
- Recreation, Wellness, and Leadership Opportunities for Children and Youth
- Community Partnerships and Collaborative Initiatives
- Public Education and Awareness
Recreation, Wellness, and Leadership Opportunities
The Building Safer Communities project is funding a variety of opportunities for children and youth.
| Teen Nights |
|
Teen Nights are free, drop-in programs that provide youth in Grades 7 to 12 with safe, welcoming, and dedicated spaces to gather, connect, and have fun. The Teen Night spaces have structured and unstructured activities, including music, games, crafts, movie nights, snacks, and more. Teen Nights take place at Morgan Russell Memorial Arena & Community Centre, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, and the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library's Lakeshore Branch. |
| Mobile Youth Centre |
|
The Innisfil Mobile Youth Centre (MYC) tours through the community during the summer months providing an opportunity for kids to be active, play some games, and meet new friends! We're piloting new special MYC events for youth in July and August of 2024. |
| Programs and Activities for Youth |
|
The Town of Innisfil and the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library are offering new programs and activities to help youth develop life and relationship skills, hobbies and interests, and a sense of community. The ideaLAB & Library is also partnering with community members and organizations to offer dedicated programs, activities, and events for racialized and marginalized youth. Visit the Town's new online Youth Hub for more information. |
| Healthy Relationships Program |
|
We are funding a community-based violence prevention program to equip youth with skills to engage in healthy relationships and manage situations with conflict. |
| Speak Your Mind Youth Mental Health Summit |
|
The Town’s annual Speak Your Mind Youth Mental Health Summit aims to normalize mental health and wellness by providing Innisfil youth in Grades 8 to 12 with mental health education. Speak Your Mind workshops for youth and parents will return in the fall of 2024. |
| Family Education and Relationship Building |
|
The Town and the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library are facilitating education and relationship building opportunities for children and their parents and guardians. Programs and activities will promote the development of children and youth’s developmental assets, and positive, nurturing parent-child relationships. Check out our Family Wellness Nights and the Library's MakeIT Family program. |
| Youth Connex Committee |
|
The Town’s Youth Connex Committee (YCC) is made up of Innisfil residents in Grades 8 to 12. The YCC promotes youth initiatives, programs, and insight to enhance the quality of life, health, and well-being of Innisfil youth. The YCC will receive additional resources and support to plan youth-led activities and events in Innisfil, like the Youth Skate Night held on February 20, 2024. |
| YouthCALL Service Link |
|
YouthCALL Service Link is a collaborative project, led by CFS Counselling + Wellbeing, that provides service navigation support via phone, text, and drop-in to youth (ages 12 to 25) living in South Simcoe. YouthCALL is supported by the Canadian Mental Health Association of York and South Simcoe, CONTACT Community Services, Gilbert Centre, New Path, and Youth Haven. BSCF funds will bring YouthCALL's Community Service Navigators to Innisfil more regularly. To access a Community Service Navigator, call/text 705-790-2338, or visit YouthCALL at the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library's Lakeshore Branch (967 Innisfil Beach Road) on Thursday afternoons. |
Community Partnerships and Collaborative Initiatives
We're creating new opportunities to work with residents, community groups, non-profit organizations, school boards, and local businesses to meet the needs of Innisfil's children, youth, and families.
The Innisfil Child, Youth, and Family Wellness Coalition is a pilot initiative of the Building Safer Communities project. The Coalition will promote teamwork across various sectors to enhance the well-being of Innisfil residents and contribute to community violence prevention efforts.
Information sessions about the Coalition are scheduled for September 2024. Stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved and contribute to community safety and well-being in Innisfil.
Public Education and Awareness
We're working with the South Simcoe Police Service and community partners to provide public education and raise awareness about issues related to community safety and well-being.
In March 2024, we hosted two Building Safer Communities: Understanding Street Gangs, Youth Violence, and the Role of Social Media workshops, delivered by the Ontario Gang Investigators Association (ONGIA). Participants learned about street gangs, gang trends in Innisfil, human trafficking, how social media is used to lure and groom young people, and tips for how to recognize, respond, and support youth who encounter these situations.
Stay tuned for more public education and awareness opportunities in the fall of 2024.