Dorset Park youths' 'voices heard' by the City of Toronto

Dorset Park Youth Council

On Michael Kerr’s 18th birthday, he wasn’t out celebrating with his friends. He was meeting with councillors at City Hall, advocating for support on behalf of his community.

As a member of the Dorset Park Youth Council, a youth-led initiative supported by the Youth Challenge Fund, United Way Toronto and the City of Toronto, Michael is addressing urgent needs of youth in Dorset Park.

“DPYC was formed to address community needs – safe space for youth to come together and address the cultural segregation that exists here. We’re going through youth to reach out to the community as a whole.”

Dorset Park will soon boast two new spaces for youth at McGregor Park Recreation Centre – a sports pad and community lounge. DPYC has driven the planning and design since day one, so the look and feel of the spaces reflect the true needs of young people in this community.

This partnership exemplifies YCF’s unique approach to community building, which engages young people living in Toronto’s 13 priority neighbourhoods to collaborate with community organizations to develop initiatives that provide sustainable opportunities for youth.

Not only will the initiative have a significant impact in Dorset Park, it is changing the way the City engages and interacts with young people on community projects. Its Parks Forestry and Recreation division worked alongside youth to develop the spaces, an approach that is now integral to its strategic plan.

Michael recognizes the importance of this work - now and down the road. “Because the initiative is run by youth, it’s easier for us to engage other young people in the community. We’re engaging them to work together, which is important because they represent the future of Dorset Park.”

As he reminisces about that first meeting at City Hall, Michael says it was a good experience. “We hadn’t before been given the chance to have our voices heard,” he says.

“Before I got involved with DPYC, I didn’t know I could affect my community. I didn’t think my opinion mattered.” Now he knows it does.