Youth and the Law
Getting Youth Involved in the Community
Across New Brunswick, youth are developing projects in their communities with the help of adults. By working together they are learning new and innovative ways of supporting each other and benefiting their neighbourhoods, towns and cities. Bringing a new energy and new perspective to local concerns is a surefire way to find new solutions.
The following list contains some examples of projects that have been developed and directed by youth, with some assistance from adults:
- Safe-walk programs to accompany young children to and from school;
- Restoring and maintaining parks, nature trails, and wetlands;
- Creating hotlines, peer counseling groups, and developing resource materials for teens;
- Painting murals to restore school grounds, playgrounds, and abandoned lots;
- After-school sports leagues, tutoring programs, mentoring activities;
- Spending time with people with disabilities, hospital patients, and seniors;
- Creating plays, videos, and puppet shows for younger kids on topics such as drug awareness, gangs, dating violence, etc.;
- Helping to design and set up skateboard parks and similar recreational areas.
Ask youth in your area what they think!!!
Meaningful Youth Involvement
Working with youth is an excellent way to build connections in your community. Young people often feel discouraged and disconnected…it helps to get them involved!
Programs that are established by adults are not always appealing to youth. The key to success is to include youth, giving them the freedom to express their own concerns and address their own issues. This will result in activities and services more appropriate to their needs.
A number of youth centres, skateboard parks, shopping malls, and breakfast clubs have been successful when they offer an opportunity to socialize. Programs that respond to a need, allow youth to interact, and are supported by a positive adult can achieve very effective results.
Things to keep in mind…
- Are there barriers in your community that prevent youth from becoming involved? How can they be overcome?
- Can government and community organizations work together in your area to address the needs of youth and help them to participate in a meaningful way?
- How can meetings between adults and youth be made more appealing to young people?
Researched by: Centre for Research on Youth at Risk
St. Thomas University,Fredericton, NB E3B 5G3 Tel: (506) 452-0456
Published by:
Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick
P.O. Box 6000 Fredericton, N.B.
E3B 5H1 CANADA
Tel: (506) 453-5369
Fax: (506) 462-5193
Email: pleisnb@web.ca
Funding provided by Justice Canada
March 2003
Disclaimer: Please note that our website contains general information about the law. This is not a complete statement of the law on particular topics. We try to update our publications often, but laws change frequently so it is important for you to check to make sure the information is up to date. The information in our publications is not a substitute for legal advice. To receive legal advice about your specific situation, you need to speak to a lawyer.
