City partners with Laurier to offer virtual workshops for youth

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford Neighbourhood Hubs program is thrilled to announce their partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford Campus to offer a FREE workshop series for Brantford youth ages 13 to 17. Part of the Community Changemaker – Youth Edition, this year’s program is called “Youth For The Future - Better Environment, Better Tomorrow” and will be offered virtually to help students develop leadership skills with a project that could have a positive impact on the community.

Youth that reside in the City of Brantford are welcome to register for this free three-week program, with the support of a teacher or adult sponsor, where they will be challenged to develop sustainable and innovative environmental solutions that can assist Brantford in lessening the impacts of climate change. Students will have an opportunity to develop their leadership skills, learn about climate change and the impact on the environment. Other skills include community and idea development, project planning, budget creation and presentation skills.

Participants are welcome to register as individuals or in pre-determined groups of two to four youth. All sessions will be facilitated by Laurier LaunchPad Brantford. Workshops will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, June 1, 2021. At the end of the sessions, students will have the opportunity to pitch their project idea to City staff on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 for a chance to receive grant funding to implement their project, which could result in a positive impact on the community and the world as a whole. In addition, successful participants will receive a certificate from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Register today as a group or an individual online at bit.ly/LaunchPadBrantford Questions can be directed by email to launchpadbrantford@wlu.ca.

The City of Brantford is a member of the Partners for Climate Protection which is a program from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and ICLEI to support municipalities with their work toward climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. More information about Brantford’s Climate Change Action Plan can be found at brantford.ca/ClimateAction.

Quotes:

“The opportunity that the City and Laurier LaunchPad Brantford are providing these students is immeasurable. Not only will they learn more about climate change and its impact, they will develop skills to take action by creating a solid idea and plan to present to the City. This is a great way for youth to raise awareness and create something that may have a lasting positive effect on the environment for their future.” – Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis.

“From youth programs, to start-ups and scale-ups, Laurier’s LaunchPad Brantford offers invaluable supports for entrepreneurs at all stages of their careers. Laurier is proud to partner with the city and local youth on this Community Changemaker initiative that will not only bring forth great ideas, but also empower young people to be agents of change in their home community.” – Julie Perkins, Coordinator, Laurier LaunchPad Brantford.

“Through the Community Changemaker workshops, youth will have the opportunity to make a difference in the community they live in. This initiative also works in conjunction with the City’s priority to work towards mitigating Brantford’s environmental footprint and adaptation to climate change.” – Rochelle Rumney, City of Brantford Climate Change Officer.

- 30 -

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