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Working with youth where they gather, about issues they are passionate about. This 3 year project had TeenNet and 5 Ontario Youth Centres working together to improve Youth Centres' and youth's ability to act on the impact tobacco is having on youth in local communities.

Using Organizational Improvement principles staff, volunteers and Board Members of Youth Centres identified change projects that allowed the Centres to better support youth initiated anti-tobacco projects. Youth groups based in the Youth Centres created and completed an action project aimed at increasing awareness of tobacco issues in their communities and Youth Centres. To support youth who are looking to reinforce their non-smoking lifestyles and to help youth cut back or stop smoking, training was being provided to Youth Centre staff and volunteers for an online smoking prevention and cessation resource specifically developed for youth (the Smoking Zine on www.cyberisle.org and www.smokingzine.org)

The project involved youth, staff and volunteers at every stage. The participants feedback on the Youth Action and Organizational Improvement Workshops has been very positive. The Youth Centres' and youth's experiences was shared with the whole TYPS Youth Centre network at the 2004 Youth Conference in Guelph, Ontario. Final results from the project will be available in December 2004.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Harvey Skinner

Partners: TYPS, Midland Youth Centre, Sault Ste. Marie Teen Centre, Dryden Youth Centre, Smith Falls & District Youth Club, Tilbury Solid Rock Cafe

Funders: Health Canada Tobacco Control Programme

More information:
Sherry Biscope, BScN, MHSc
416.978.2201