City of Brantford partners with Brantford Youth Council to host National Youth Week

Group of teens with thumbs up for Youth Week 2023

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford, in partnership with the Brantford Youth Council (BYC), will host a series of free activities to celebrate National Youth Week May 1 to 7, 2023, including a chance for participants to win daily prizes. A Celebration of Youth Excellence event will be held on Sunday, May 7 to recognize youth contributions to the community. Pre-registration is required for some events.

“We are looking forward to celebrating Brantford youth’s active participation and engagement in their community,” says Kim Rolson, Community Recreation Supervisor for the City of Brantford. “Everyone is welcome to participate and discover the ways the City of Brantford provides youth with fun and inclusive opportunities to grow, learn and thrive.”

Free activities are happening at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street, from May 1 to 6, 2023. Participants taking part in Youth Week activities, will have the chance to win daily prizes, including a grand prize draw for a $50 iTunes gift card! Free activities requiring pre-registration include; a Chess Tournament on May 1 for all skill levels at 6:00 p.m., Taco Tuesday program on May 2 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Star Wars Night on May 4 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and the DIY Paint Class on May 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Registration is now open for all registered activities for youth ages 11 to 17 at Brantford.ca/Activenet. Space is limited. Free drop-in activities that do not require registration include; Open Gym Time from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Drop-in Basketball from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on May 3. A special drop-in Woodman After Hours Event will be held on May 5 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. It is free for youth members or $3.00 for non-members. Youth memberships cost only $5.00 per year and details can be found at Brantford.ca/Youth.

To continue the celebration of #BrantfordYouthWeek, Woodman Park Community Centre Youth Membership Programs including the WLounge and Open Gym, will remain open for one extra hour during National Youth Week. The WLounge will be open Monday to Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and offers youth access to gaming systems, board games, a pool table and more. The Open Gym program is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and allows Youth Members to access the gymnasium and play sports using a variety of equipment available.

Several of this year’s activities were designed by youth during the Empowering Youth for Change event that took place over the recent March Break, in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University. More information about events for YOUth can be found at Brantford.ca/youth.

Celebration of Youth Excellence Event

On, Sunday, May 7, a Celebration of Youth Excellence event and Municipal Leadership Development Graduation will be held at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, 88 Dalhousie Street from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This event aims to elevate and empower youth aged 11 to 24 and celebrate the unique contributions that they make in our community. Youth-serving organizations will be presenting Recognition Certificates to local youth who have demonstrated exemplary character traits and heroic dedication to making Brantford a better place. There will also be a free photo booth, snacks and the evening will conclude with a free movie screening of the Disney movie Big Hero 6, rated PG at 4:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress in super-hero themed clothing to celebrate the super powers of the youth in our community. Free tickets can be obtained online at tickets.SandersonCentre.ca or through the Sanderson Centre Box Office by calling 519-758-8090 or in person Monday to Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Youth-Friendly Community

The City of Brantford, a designated Youth-Friendly Community, focuses on empowering youth as a key component of the City of Brantford’s Youth Strategy working to ensure youth have access to a diversity of opportunities, including sport, recreation, arts, volunteerism, leadership development, and civic engagement. Publicly celebrating the accomplishments of youth is an important element of this strategy.

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Media Contacts:

Sharon Sayles | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-757-2840 | ssayles@brantford.ca

Chelsey Tobin | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext.5779 | ctobin@brantford.ca