All Children and Youth Thrive!
Grab more Chairs! We are Inviting Young People to the Table
By Bruna Redoschi, OKN’s Research Associate “Young people are the future. We are building today for future generations. We must think about the kind of world we want to leave for our kids…” We have all heard and repeated these lines in our conversations. No one can argue them, and we try our best to fulfill their meaning, but there is a caveat. Despite our best intentions, adults have their own biases and shortcomings. In Canada, youth are fighting for their space and right to have their voices heard. In 2021 they sued the Canadian government for their right to vote. Youth claim that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the right to vote for all Canadian citizens without age qualification. While initially, Canadian citizens were white, property-owning men aged 21 or older, the definition has been expanded since then and should keep advancing to include those who may have been excluded from social and political participation. Young people are still pressing for...
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Time to Take Action
By Angela Bellegarde, OKN’s Manager of Indigenous Strategy September 30, 2022 marks Canada’s second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day all Canadians are called to commemorate and honour all Indigenous people who attended Residential Schools,...
Youth Volunteerism: A Key to Thriving Neighourhoods
By Lily Viggiano, former Halton Youth Initiative Project Coordinator “Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” – anonymous. This...
The OKN Data Portal: A Sandbox of Knowledge
By Juan Medina, Children’s Services Research Advisor, Halton Region I had no idea what to expect when I started working for the Halton Region two years ago. I was juggling with a lot of personal change – a new career, the first time working for government, and moving...
Developmental Relationships are the Foundations for Young People’s Success
By Steve O’Hearn, Transitional Youth Worker, Bridging the Gap Program I often reflect on my high school experience, whether it be the social circles, the extracurriculars, or the stressors of navigating the world as a teenager. I still remember, quite clearly, my...
Where do Halton Youth Find their Safe Space to Connect?
By: Lacey Swamy (She/They), Youth Leader, Writing from Treaty 22 Land For years, I thought I was white. Truth be told, I never felt ‘brown enough’ to identify as anything else. I’m half Guyanese and half British, making my skin tone definitely not white. It wasn’t...
The Power of an Apology
By Angela Bellegarde, OKN’s Manager of Indigenous Strategy Angela reflects on the Pope’s recent apology for the Catholic’s Church role in Canada’s Residential School System. It was a difficult week watching the news coverage of Indigenous representatives meeting with...