Youth-Friendly North Shore

We're leading a three-year initiative to help build healthy communities where youth thrive, reducing the risk of involvement in gang or organized criminal activities.

Through targeted prevention and intervention activities, the Youth-Friendly North Shore (YFNS) program aims to reduce risk factors, such as negative influences, limited positive role models, and a lack of community attachment, while enhancing protective factors, such as social belonging, recognition, and access to social, recreational and cultural services.

The project is funded by Public Safety Canada through the Building Safer Communities Fund, and supported by the North Vancouver RCMP. 

We selected BUNYAAD Public Affairs to develop and deliver YFNS. This work is done in collaboration with the City of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation. 

On this page:

Developing a three-year plan

In early 2023, we invited a variety of North Shore organizations to share their insights, in order to inform the development of a three-year public safety and youth crime prevention plan. Stakeholders included representatives from K-12 education, sports and recreation, health and crisis support, police and justice, and service agencies. We developed the plan by incorporating these local insights and reviewing academic studies.

Building on the existing strengths in the community, the plan focuses on two key areas:

  • Stream 1 — Creating a youth-friendly North Shore by engaging youth and creating more welcoming spaces for youth
  • Stream 2 — Improving the system of care for North Shore youth

We presented the plan to North Shore government partners, including the District of North Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, on May 25, 2023.

Subsequently, we gave a presentation to involved stakeholders on June 15, 2023.

Review the Building Safer Communities Developmental Workplan Stakeholder Engagement Report

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How we're implementing the work plan

Stream 1 — Creating youth friendly spaces

WelcoME Youth Action Team (YAT)

WelcoME is a recurring effort supported by McCreary Centre Society to engage youth across the North Shore to discuss their experiences accessing various physical and digital spaces.

For the first cohort, youth between the ages of 12–18 years who reside on the North Shore were recruited through a multi-agency effort in fall 2023. Since then, the youth have deliberated on the elements of a space that make it feel welcoming and safe. Youth have visited many spaces on the North Shore to apply these criteria to evaluate their experience.

Read their summary report and recommendations

Steam 2 — Improved system of care for youth

Community of Practice (CoP)

The YFNS Community of Practice is a scheduled opportunity to share practices and resources to improve the delivery of community-based programs and services that promote positive youth development on the North Shore.

The CoP is designed for professionals who support youth aged 12 to 18 years. It offers practical resources and guidance about evidence-based approaches for community-based programs and services that build youth resilience, promote youth wellness and positive youth development.

The first session took place in March 2024 and focused on approaches to prevent, delay and reduce substance-related harms including naloxone training.

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Ways to get involved

WelcoME Youth Action Team (YAT)

Recruitment for the next cohort of the WelcoME Youth Action Team will begin in September 2024. We'll make recruitment materials available here closer to the start of recruitment.

Youth Action Grants

The youth action grants are a limited funding opportunity for youth to take meaningful actions that improve physical and digital spaces for youth across the North Shore.

Register for the grant launch webinar

Community of Practice (CoP)

If you're a professional who serves youth, and you're interested in being involved in our Community of Practice, you're invited to register for future sessions being held in 2024:

Learn more about the CoP and explore the benefits of participation

Stakeholder gatherings

The YFNS stakeholder gathering offers an opportunity for organizations serving youth on the North Shore to learn more about the project's activities. Stakeholders will receive a review of activities held over the past six months and learn about what is coming in the next six months.

The inaugural stakeholder gathering was held in October 2023, and subsequent sessions will take place every six months.

Register for the next gathering, being held in April 2024

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Staying in touch

For more information or project related questions, or to be added to the project mailing list, email: yfns@bunyaad.ca.

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