Vital open house on youth safety strategy in Airdrie announced

A Building Safer Communities Open House is being hosted Tuesday evening at Genesis Place, as part of a proactive strategy to support youth in the city.

The open house will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rotary Room in the city's recreation centre. 

"Over the next two years, we'll be engaging with residents and community partners and exploring how to ensure our community remains a safe place for youth. If you're a parent of youth, or you're interested in learning more about what work will be completed as part of this project, we invite you to attend the Building Safer Communities Open House," the City stated.

The open house will tackle subjects such as the ongoing conversations and research taking place with Airdrie youth that will inform the city's work on ensuring youth safety, opportunities for families to be involved in upcoming initiatives, and how residents can inform and help shape the work moving forward. This event is open to all, and there is no registration required to attend. 

Tuesday's meeting is one of several initiatives the city is undertaking to develop the Airdrie Youth Violence Prevention and Intervention Strategy​​​​.

Earlier today, City Council received more details on administration's plans for the federal funding of the city earlier this year. The funding was part of the Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF). 

"This funding will play a crucial role in preventing youth violence through the development of community education, training to address bullying in public spaces and throughout the community and a pilot project with Rocky View High Schools to provide support for vulnerable youth," the City added.

According to city documents, when administration was notified by Public Safety Canada (PSC) that the City would receive funding, 'strategy development began which included the hiring of bassa Social Innovations to survey and evaluate feedback from youth and services organizations in Airdrie to understand youth violence and bullying in the community.'

"The intent of these two initiatives is to foster positive relationships with youth to prevent unsafe or violent behaviour. The two initiatives that will support youth safety. Based on the feedback collected in 2022, the Airdrie Youth Violence Prevention and Intervention Strategy was finalized in 2023, which outlined options for the next steps in addressing youth safety. Two key initiatives were identified," the agenda report explained.

The first initiative is based on a community approach, which begins this month and will run until March 2026. The approach is meant to, '...provide Airdrie youth-serving organizations and City Administration an opportunity to learn and be trained in an evidence-based framework called Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS).'

"Increasing community education, knowledge, awareness, and the application of preventative practices that aim to improve youth’s social/emotional skills, strengthen the development of healthy relationships, and reduce bullying behaviours."

On Monday, city council received an agenda report which outlines the project overview for the one million dollars in funding provided by the federal government earlier this year. (Graphic Credit to City of Airdrie)

The second initiative, which has been classified as wrap-around support will begin next month and is slated to go until March 2026. The wrap-around supports are being provided, 'through contracted staff, dedicated to the initiative, for youth who are at risk of participating in behaviours such as gun violence and gang activity.'

"Staff will support youth by coordinating community supports, where available, and providing services directly.  Ensuring our most vulnerable youth are receiving support through a holistic approach that aligns community partners together," city documents added.

An agenda report presented to Airdrie City Council gives more details on the Building Safer Communities Fund and how it is intended to be used. (Graphic Credit to City of Airdrie) 

"The two initiatives are focused on youth aged 14-18, but youth outside this age range are not excluded from the overall outcomes."

It is anticipated that administration will be returning to council in the fourth quarter of 2024 with more details on the community and partner engagement. 

The open house on Tuesday evening will be followed by a policing town hall that is slated for next week on March 27. 

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM

DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app. For breaking news, weather and contest alerts click here.