Townsman Staff
How youth-friendly is Cranbrook? The community will learn the answer to that question on Monday, March 31 when the CBKyouth project presents the results of a youth survey conducted last fall.
Back in November, Big Brothers Big Sisters with CBKyouth asked Cranbrook youth between 12 and 19 years old how youth-friendly their community is.
In total, they surveyed more than 350 students from Parkland, Laurie, Kootenay Educational Services, T.M. Roberts, Mount Baker, College of the Rockies and home-schooled students to get a good range of responses.
CBKyouth will also showcase which business the survey-takers found the most youth-friendly in town.
As well, CBKyouth will be asking those in attendance such as parents, youth, the municipality, local youth service providers and passionate community members to strategize the action items that can make Cranbrook a more youth-friendly place.
The event will take time to recognize local businesses that are "Certified Youth Friendly."
The City has granted CBKyouth the use of council chambers for the launch of the study and as part of ongoing support for the youth project to improve the community.
CBKyouth is a youth project which is hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters in partnership with the City of Cranbrook, CBAL, Cranbrook Public Library, United Way and CMHA Kootenays to create more opportunities and activities for the young residents of Cranbrook.
CBKyouth said their goal is for current and future youth programming working together to fill gaps and create new opportunities for youth.
That will be done through coordinating current activities, creating new youth opportunities, coordinating a youth service provider's network and working with a Youth Action Team.
Monday's event will be an opportunity to find out which are Cranbrook's most youth friendly spots, as well as a chance to hear what their biggest struggles are and how well youth feel they are being heard and listened to.
The survey launch event will be open to the public at City Hall, on March 31 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Organizers say it will be an opportunity to get a real snapshot of where the youth of Cranbrook feel they are.