For the past year, groups of young people in the Tri-Cities have been planting vegetable gardens for the local food bank, painting peace walls in schools, and putting on hot dog roasts and rock concerts - all with the help of funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Now Minister Christy Clark has announced more grants will help expand this pilot project and others designed to engage youth in their community, rather than waiting until problems develop.

"These projects have already shown how young people and communities can work together," said Clark. "The kids developed a sense of belonging that comes from giving to the community through work, volunteerism, entrepreneurship and helping others. And others have begun to see these young people in a more positive light."

A total of $150,000 in grants will be used to expand and evaluate Youth Asset Development projects in the Tri-Cities and other communities.

Youth Matters!, the program in the Tri-Cities, has drawn together a large partnership group including government, police, businesses, schools, and non-profit agencies. As a result, services for youth and their families in the area have been totally redesigned, and a multi-service youth site is also now being planned.

The YouthMatters! project received $50,000 to expand and develop their programs, and will manage another $50,000 to support projects in Summerland, Prince Rupert and Vernon.

The University of Victoria's Centre for Community Health Promotion Research was also awarded $50,000 to evaluate the projects, and the results of the research will be used to develop similar programs throughout B.C.

The Tri-City News, in a story about the grants published May 15, reported that groups and agencies are now making their own efforts to engage young people in the Tri-Cities. SHARE Family and Youth Services is trying to set up a youth-run thrift store, ArtsConnect is trying to establish a youth-run recycled art supplies store and SUCCESS is running a business start-up program for young people.

"It's amazing the ripple effect we're having, with people taking a positive approach rather than a negative approach," Wendy Cooper, chair of the YouthMatters! partner group, said in an interview with the News. "We're hoping that will replicate out in the broader community."

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