About the Youth Impact Project

The Youth Impact Project (YIP) is a collaboration between the Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region (CYPT) and Smart Waterloo Region Innovation Lab (SWRIL).

On June 8, over 100 youth from 15 local organisations pitched their ideas to a panel of nine youth. The Youth Decision-Making Panel (“The Dragons”) decided which projects would receive funding to make their idea a reality. The Youth Impact Project looks to fund youth who are addressing local challenges which are identified through the 2023 Youth Impact Survey results. The funded projects include a focus onsupporting youth mental and physical health, increasing feelings of belonging,and responding to climate change and food insecurity.

Youth will be working on their projects untilDecember. We're featuring each of the 12 projects!

Churchill Basketball

Who pitched the project?

Jasmin, Saif, Salar, and Rabia

Supported by Kinbridge Community Association

What problem are you addressing in Waterloo Region?

• Sense of belonging
• Increase life satisfaction
• Create more safe spaces for youth

What are you going to do with the money?

Renovate the Churchill basketball court. The court serves a greater purpose for our youth. It’s more than an area to play, it’s a place to come together, build friendships, and foster a sense of belonging. Basketball acts as an escape for many of our youth from things like daily pressure and academic stress. Due to maintenance challenges the court hasn’t been used to its full potential. With the renovation of the court, we hope to increase youth’s sense of belonging by providing a space to enhance the social fabric of our neighbourhood. We hope to help youth find resilience and ambition beyond the painted lines on the court.

More about the Youth Impact Project

The Youth Impact Project is a collaboration between Smart Waterloo Region Innovation Lab (SWRIL) and the Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region (CYPT).

Learn more about the Youth Impact Project

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