The Junior Youth Council of Williams Lake will be hosting youth forums this week — one for adults and one for youth.
Speaking to council at its regular meeting Tuesday, JYC member Patrick Newsome said the forums will explore youth relations in the community.
“In terms of these relationships we would like to improve relations with adults too and encourage youth to speak up more and adults to be open minded and inspired to open up more opportunities for youth in the community,” Newsome told council.
Both forums will be held at Thompson Rivers University Williams Lake campus.
The April 26 session will be for adults from 1 to 4 p.m. and the April 27 session for youth from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The plan is to recruit 20 youths from Columneetza Secondary School and 20 from Williams Lake Secondary School to participate in the youth session.
Issues covered will include topics such as stereotyping in early ages, and identifying harmful factors that affect youth.
After the forum on Friday there will be a dance at the Basement, an alcohol free venue on Oliver Street, for the youth participants and their guests.
On April 25, the JYC members will meet with a facilitator from PeerNet BC, who will help prepare them for hosting the forums.
Mayor Kerry Cook applauded the junior council’s efforts to obtain facilitating skills and create an environment where the community can discuss youth issues.
“How are we going to hear back about the results? Do you know the plan for communicating out?” Cook asked, and heard there will be a group presentation at the end of the youth forum.
“We’re inviting people from different businesses and organizations to attend the session,” Newsome explained, adding there’ll be another update in the form of a report.
Newsome also said the council is looking at co-ordinating the Relay for Life; however, they are in the preliminary stages.