July 10, 2009

Established in 2003, YNOT is a youth program that supports the empowerment of rural youth to gain ownership of their community, promote connectivity and provide a pro-active voice for local improvements within their municipality.  There are three councils in the area, the YNOT Bradford West Gwillimbury Youth Council, the YNOT Innisfil Youth Council, and the YNOT “AT NET” (Adjala-Tosorontio, New Tecumseth, and Essa) Youth Council.

Through YNOT, the youth of South Simcoe have been given the opportunity to learn how to run an effective non-profit organization.  They have learned about the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of being part of a volunteer organization.  The youth have accepted mentoring as a valid form of education and through this mentoring process have developed and implemented effective youth boards.  They have also recognized the value of learning from non-traditional sources such as seminars and Town Council meetings.  They have also acquired leadership and public speaking skills and have learned the invaluable lesson of "speaking so people will listen and listening so people will speak".  This lesson has added to their credibility and this youth council is now recognized as the official "voice of youth".  The three YNOT councils continue to leave a lasting impact in the communities of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Innisfil, New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio and Essa Townships.  By garnering support from municipal councils, local high schools and small businesses across the county YNOT has been able to successfully achieve all of its initiatives.

Several initiatives to note are:
- To provide youth with access to information on skills development and training, YNOT has held a series of seminars and conferences
- The establishment of an advisory committee in all three jurisdictions that include community leaders, members of municipal coucils, the Principal of a local high school and several local teachers.  These advisory committees provide the opportunity for students to express their opinions on those who shape local policy
- YNOT also sits on the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations Youth Committee, which recently completed a tool kit for youth involvement.  YNOT members have had a prominent role in its development and share a great deal of exposure through this tool kit.

The amount of influence YNOT has with their political, educational and community leaders is unpresidented especailly in a rural environment.  By providing insight on a consistent basis over the past five years, YNOT has left a lasting legacy of postitive activism that has truly given young people a strong voice in their community.

For more information, contact:
Valeria Ryan
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