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The City of Oshawa is recruiting youth in grades 6 to 12 to serve on the Oshawa Youth Council (O.Y.C.).
What's new with the O.Y.C.?
For the 2021/2022 term, we are changing up our structure based on feedback from our youth!
The Oshawa Youth Council will have more workshops from well-known speakers on topics such as mental health, mindfulness, yoga, and much more! These activities aim to improve the well-being of youth in the Oshawa community. The O.Y.C. will also be dividing into two separate councils one of which will be Youth Leaders' with members from grades 6 to 9 and Youth Mentors which will include youth from grades 10 to 12. These two new councils will have different roles and responsibilities which are indicated in the O.Y.C. Terms of Reference.
Other news from the O.Y.C.
The Youth Council is excited to have received the Play Works Youth Friendly Designation! The O.Y.C. worked with the City of Oshawa and community partners on the application in the 2019/2020 term.
Our goals for the 2021/22 season include:
Have Fun!
Develop the Principles and Practices for the Oshawa Youth Council (O.Y.C.)
Youth development opportunities
Participation in the community
Event participation and volunteering
Education and awareness of youth issues
Create an inventory of Youth Services available in the Oshawa area
Communicate and coordinate events, services and initiatives available to Youth
Create action plans and prioritize future projects from feedback received by youth
Recruit new volunteers for the Youth Council
Establish and maintain a youth council that builds youth capacity to participate in their community
Provide feedback to City of Oshawa staff with recommendations to increase youth voice
To create a structure, which will contain decision–making processes for events like National Youth Week
To engage in various activities that will enable them to improve their well-being, socialization and leadership skills
Have any questions or want more information? Contact O.Y.C. staff.
O.Y.C. Meetings
Upcoming meetings
2022 Meeting dates:
2022 meeting dates, times, and locations.
Date
Meeting Type
Time
Location
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Mentors
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
TBD
Thursday, January 6, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Leaders
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TBD
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Mentors
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
TBD
Thursday, February 10, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Leaders
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TBD
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Mentors
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TBD
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Mentors
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
TBD
Thursday, March 10, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Leaders
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TBD
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Mentors
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TBD
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Mentors
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
TBD
Thursday, April 7, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Leaders
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TBD
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Mentors
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TBD
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Mentors
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
TBD
Thursday, May 12, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Leaders
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TBD
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Mentors
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TBD
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Mentors
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
TBD
Thursday, June 9, 2022
O.Y.C. Youth Leaders
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TBD
Meet our team
Rebekah McMillan
OYC Coordinator
20-something Youth Coordinator overseeing Oshawa Youth Council. I enjoy working with all of the great young minds we have here in Oshawa! I love creating opportunities and pathways for our youth to become connected to their community and hearing all of their wonderful perspectives on the issues youth are facing today. We’d love to have more voices and people on our teams so please reach out if this is something you’re interested in! I can be reached at [email protected]
Sofia
Grade 12
I believe the Oshawa Youth Council is the trustworthy place where we can make sure our voice matters. This is the place where youths make better changes in the community. In this council, we Care, Value, and Respect each other’s opinions and believe in team work. I am so happy to have found this amazing community and am part of it. The Oshawa Youth Council gives me opportunities to dedicate my positivity to the community.
Evan
Grade 8
I love the O.Y.C. as it's a fun way to pass your time. I am the youngest member of the O.Y.C. When I came to O.Y.C., I just really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the next meeting.
Ashley
Grade 11
I love gaining experience working with others in a group, and getting to help make an impact within the community. I enjoy getting to know new people and making friendships that will last a lifetime.
Akshita
Grade 10
The Oshawa Youth Council is a fun way for me to connect with peers while doing something worthwhile in my community. This group is a judgement-free zone that encourages creativity and new thoughts. I am looking forward to making new connections and being introduced to opportunities I may not have had the chance to learn about yet. Overall, the Oshawa Youth Council is the perfect place for me to grow my skills and opinions, help my community, and meet new like-minded peers.
Kaleb
Grade 9
OYC is one of the best opportunities I've ever had. It gives me so many fun and educational opportunities and I've met so many new people! I've been with the OYC for almost two years now and I'm so glad I decided to join!
Ananya
Grade 12
I enjoy meeting new people and being involved in my community. Through the O.Y.C., I get to have new experiences and express my opinions to have a positive impact on my city.
Jay
Grade 12
I get to meet and talk to other people from around the City that I would otherwise not get to meet, and get perspectives from different people. O.Y.C. is very fun. We plan events such as National Youth Week and we talk about volunteer opportunities. We meet once a month, but it does not feel like work. We somehow get work done while socializing and having a good time. We also do activities such as cook or skate together, and have our meeting afterwards.
Athesayaa
Grade 10
The Oshawa Youth Council is a wondrous program that provides a reputable platform for youth individuals to increase their comprehension on the overall functioning of our city, confidently express their opinions about daily matters, and strive to create a more correlative community for the entire population. As a youth member of this program, I have had the greatest opportunity to express my opinions to a vast collective of like-minded individuals, and additionally, build everlasting connections with new peers.
Sarah
First year university
Oshawa Youth Council is a fun way to get involved in your community. I gain insight into different areas of Oshawa while engaging in fun volunteering activities. We have meetings all over the city, from recreation centres to youth hubs, and even to the Robert McLaughlin Gallery. I love meeting new people and advocating for youth throughout the city.
Arpita
First year university
Hi, my name is Arpita. I am a first year student at the University of Toronto studying economics and data analytics. Some of my hobbies include playing basketball and volleyball, painting, and sewing. One of my favourite things about OYC is getting to meet different people and forming connections
Anika
Grade 7
Oshawa Youth Council is an amazing way to branch out and be more involved in the community! O.Y.C. is an extremely welcoming environment for anyone to share ideas with peers about causes you are passionate about, and just have fun. I really look forward to working with everyone!
Glenna
Grade 11
Oshawa Youth Council is a great place to be, where you have a chance to express your opinion and your opinion matters. Everyone is welcoming, it is lots of fun and educational!
Victoria
Grade 12
I love being on this council because I feel like my voice is being heard and I get to make an impact in the community. I want to be a change in my community and be able to help other youths like myself have a better societal experience in Oshawa. It's super nice to be on a council with like minded people who have similar interests in making life better for others!
This could be you!
Join the Oshawa Youth Council today!
Report to Council
The report to Council was approved on September 26, 2011.
This is a great opportunity for Oshawa youth to have a voice in our community and shape the council! Time spent on the council will count towards community service hours.
