During the week of October 4th, Kimberley and area residents will find a postcard from the YES project in their mailboxes and also in a number of locations around town. The postcard is an invitation to participate in a unique crowdsourcing process designed to illuminate local needs and opportunities for youth engagement. The goal of the process is to tap into the diverse and creative collective mind that is Kimberley to see what’s top of mind for residents when it comes to enhancing youth engagement.
Kimberley and area residents are being asked to consider five key questions:
1. Thinking broadly, what do you see as the biggest needs for youth in Kimberley aged 12 to 18?
2. Still thinking broadly, what do you see as the biggest needs for young adults in Kimberley aged 19 to 29?
3. What opportunities do you see to make Kimberley a better, more inclusive and engaging place for youth aged 12-18?
4. What opportunities do you see to make Kimberley a more engaging and attractive place for young adults aged 19 to 29?
5. What are the benefits of enhancing opportunities for youth engagement in our community?
Core themes to be thinking about when responding to the questions are local youth spaces, education and employment, health and safety, arts and culture, sports and recreation, local politics and government, volunteering and civic engagement.
What sets this community engagement process apart from a regular community survey is an added step that enables participants to see what other people are thinking and assign stars to the thoughts and ideas that are seen as best for Kimberley. All this will happen in a completely anonymous way so that everyone can feel comfortable sharing their ideas.
Residents will have until October 31 to enter their thoughts on the five questions above, and in November everyone will have an opportunity to see the ideas that were put forward and assign stars to the ones they like best.
To learn more about the project or to participate in the process, please visit www.yeskimberley.com or email info@yeskimberley.com. YES! gratefully acknowledges the support of Columbia Basin Trust in funding this project and the time and energy of local Steering Group members.