Dorset Park Youth Council: LEARN Project

The LEARN initiative meets on a weekly basis to oversee the ongoing development of two youth-dedicated spaces at the McGregor Park Recreation Centre - an outdoor sports pad for playing cricket, basketball, netball, and an indoor youth priority space.

Youth participate in weekly sessions that improve their understanding and capacity to positively develop their community. Youth have led the space and community consultations, planning and design of the spaces. With support from adult allies, youth have improved their leadership and a number of other transferable skills. 

15 youth from the Dorset Park community are the core participants in the Dorset Park Youth Council. The council has developed sub-committees and specific roles to respond to the interests of members. Current roles include: public relations, peer mediation and event planning.

Since receipt of YCF training, the youth have developed strong advocacy skills. The sports pad was completed August 2009. The initiative has developed a strong model for building the capacity of underserved youth to become civically engaged.