Let's Fix Fun Together: Exploring Arts and General Interest Programs for Youth in Ottawa’s Recreational Centres

Institution: Algonquin College

CSWB plan priority / Ottawa's 2023-2026 Term of Council priority: Mental well-being

Project Term: Fall 2024 and Winter 2025

Course Code: DSN8014 Industry Project

Professor(s): Jed Looker and Raphael Joseph

Group Member(s): Paula Lucia Morella, Tsz Kwan Mina Li, Sana Randhawa, Shimi George

Objective(s): Our project addresses a critical gap in youth recreational programming in Ottawa, specifically examining how the limited arts and general interest program offerings in City of Ottawa recreational centres impact youth living in Ottawa. The objective is to identify opportunities to diversify the City's youth programming beyond the current sports-dominated landscape. To better understand the obstacles that affect youth participation in arts and general interest programs., we explore the following questions:

• How do youth discover or get introduced to arts and general interest activities?

• What motivates youth to participate in art and general interest programs?

• What activities do youth actually enjoy within their local area?

  
  

Through extensive engagement with youth aged 16-18 living in Ottawa and youth program organizers, we designed a community-centred approach to learn more about their experiences and challenges with arts and general interest programs.

This approach ensures that our recommendations to the RCFS align with the priority areas of their youth strategy while providing actionable recommendations for improvement. By the end of our project, we delivered a community partnership strategy for RCFS, helping to create a more inclusive, and engaging portfolio of recreational opportunities that better serves the diverse interests of youth across Ottawa.

Potential for Impact: This project develops a community engagement strategy for RCFS to diversify youth program offerings. This strategy begins with ensuring alignment within the City of Ottawa organization then developing collaborations with external organizations. In learning about the community needs of youth, we aim to create a system that prioritizes youth-led and flexible participation.

Short Term Impact: Ensure team alignment for youth programming within the City of Ottawa organization.

By streamlining communication between the internal stakeholders who serve a similar youth clientele, the City of Ottawa will be able to share existing resources that would improve youth programs. These collaborations begin with conducting workshops to identify the gaps in the current services across the departments and contacting existing youth councils. This short-term goal focuses on leveraging existing resources available to them and having a more integrated support system for youth within the City of Ottawa organization.

Medium Term Impact: Build relationships with external organizations to develop youth-centred programs, using shared spaces and youth-led initiatives.

These partnerships act as a window for the City of Ottawa to learn more about youth's interests and their community needs. During City of Ottawa discussions with external partners, they may discuss potential ideas to collaborate on youth-centred programming. Collaborations can include dividing costs with external organizations and hosting youth-led activities. These youth-led activities will ensure the youth themselves are able to contribute to the design of a program providing a sense of active belonging.

Long term impact: Implement project ideas and launch pilot programs that align with youth interests and their community needs.

The long-term goal is to pilot small-scale youth programs developed through collaboration with internal teams and external organizations. By creating a system that outlines the city’s resources and leverages community partnerships, there will be more inclusive youth programs that truly reflect youth's needs and interests.