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Data in Action

We believe that too often, decisions about children and youth are made without their involvement, but no one understands those experiences better than the people experiencing them!  The Youth Impact Survey is a chance for children and youth (ages 9-18) to share with adults and decisions makers what life is actually like for young people in Waterloo Region, and how we can work together to use the data to improve well-being.

 

We took the data we heard from youth and asked them: “What do you think needs to happen next?” Through over 20 sense making sessions, youth identified key areas for change in our communities. From here the Youth Impact Survey: Data in Action website was born. Below you’ll find the final list of actions for each focus area, how we got there, and what is happening in our community to move this forward.

 

Review each focus area below!

Focus Areas

We Belong

Belonging means feeling loved and supported and having mutually caring and respectful relationships.

we are Healthy

Health includes both mental and emotional health as well as physical health.

We are Learning

Learning begins from birth, in families, in communities, and in cultures.

We Are Participating

Participation includes being actively engaged, according to their capacity, in family affairs, in community organizations, at school, in social movements and in civic and political life.

We are Protected

They need to be safe and protected in their homes, at school, at work and in communities, online and offline.

we are Secure

Young people are secure when they can have their basic needs met, as well as the things that enable them to feel included in society and among their peers.

We are connected to the Environment

A young person’s environment includes both the natural and built spaces surrounding them

we are Free to Play

Being free to play refers to rest, leisure, recreational activities and play appropriate to the age of the young person.

We are Happy and Respected

Being happy and respected is determined by looking at all areas of well-being.

What Can Youth Do to Take action?

What Can Partners Do to Take action?

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Review the list of actions and see where you fit in. Pick one or two to implement in your work and then tell us about it!
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Host conversations with the youth you work with to see how they think these actions can move forward in your organization.
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Connect with other organizations to build and amplify the changes that have been or can be made.