Greetings ...

Some of the techniques that we have used include -

1) Training youth to collect the data so that they are able to connect with
their peers in places that they may frequent together (allowing them to have
their own roundtable discussions)

2) Utilizing other activities - such as holding gym nights - in order to
attract the youth and give them an opportunity to have an activity that is
beneficial to them

One of the biggest issues that we have faced is that many youth have the
attitude (and perhaps rightly so for some) that all that groups want to do
is to get information from them but that they are not really concerned about
the youth. Many have the feeling that they are being used.

We also try to hold events that have no requirement on the part of the youth
to provide any feedback whatsoever. These events are just for them to come
out, meet some adults (who hopefully can become mentors) and have fun with
their peers. Our goal is that when the youth face difficult decisions, they
will know that there are adults in the area who care and they can turn to
for support.

Also, remember the draw that technology brings to youth. Interactive
displays and projects that require youth to provide information can help you
to collect info in a way that is interesting and fun for the youth (of
course, it depends on how much control you need on the data that you
receive).

Hope some of this helps,

Peter Jones
North Victoria Healthy Communities Coalition

HP Coordinator
Canadian Mental Health Association - Peterborough
(705) 748-6711 x16
(705) 748-2577 Fax
[log in to unmask]
www.peterborough.cmha.on.ca

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Health Promotion on the Internet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of Margie Macdonald
> Sent: March 5, 2001 1:08 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: involving excluded youth in rural areas
>
>
> A small community in rural Nova Scotia is looking for ways of finding out
> the needs and assets of excluded youth.They've tried unsuccessfully to
> organize meetings so are exploring other possibilities.  Does
> anyone have any
> suggestions?  Thanks!
>