Latest news with #youthEngagement
CTV News
09-07-2025
- CTV News
Sudbury cops teach kids fishing in annual safety event
Local police traded badges for fishing rods Wednesday, hosting 13 kids for a day of angling and safety lessons on Whitewater Lake. Police and conservation officers gathered at Whitewater Lake in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on Tuesday to teach 13 children how to fish as part of an annual youth engagement initiative. Whitewater Lake - Cops & Kids Fishing Police and conservation officers gathered at Whitewater Lake in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 8, 2025, to teach children how to fish as part of an annual youth engagement initiative. (Madison Marier/CTV News Northern Ontario) Annual event promotes youth engagement The event, now in its 14th year, brought together members of the Greater Sudbury Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministry of Natural Resources for a day of fishing, safety lessons, and community bonding. 'Today we're out on Whitewater Lake in Zelda, and it's cops, kids, and fishing,' said Sudbury police chief Sara Cunningham. 'It's an annual event, and today's all about youth engagement with our police officers.' Teaching safety and building trust Fishing is a popular pastime in northern Ontario, and organizers hope the activity will keep children both entertained and safe during the summer months. 'We want to be able to educate them on how to be safe on the water, what to do, and where not to go,' said OPP Const. Martin Mailloux-Ratte. 'So, it's also going to be an educative day for them.' Beyond water safety, the event aims to foster positive relationships between youth and law enforcement. 'It's a positive way to build our new generation,' said Mailloux-Ratte. 'And if they want to become police officers, it's great for us. We have people to replace us, as we're not getting any younger.' That sentiment resonated with 13-year-old Joseph McMurray, one of the junior anglers in attendance. 'I would like to be a police officer, yeah,' he said. A friendly competition The day also included a friendly fishing competition, with the winner taking home a trophy. McMurray shared his strategy for success: 'I'm going to catch a small fish, put it out, and then a bigger fish is going to eat that little fish – and then I'll get a bigger fish.' Others, like siblings Kataleya and Jackson Chartrand, offered simpler advice: 'Have patience.' The event was supported by Canadian Tire's Jumpstart program, which helps fund youth sports and recreation initiatives.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Ahier appointed Jersey Privileges and Procedures Committee chair
Deputy Steve Ahier has been appointed as the new head of Jersey's Privileges and Procedures committee oversees the way the States Assembly works and helps formulate the island's election Karen Shenton Stone recently stepped down as head of the committee after three years in the Ahier said he wanted to work on getting more young islanders engaged in politics. In a speech, Ahier told the assembly that he wanted to help young people discover the passion he had for politics as a said: "When I was a child, politics was regularly discussed at home and, on the occasion of an island-wide election, my father would drive us around to the various polling stations to hear what the results were."This would commence in St Mary and would head east through the country parishes, ending in our then parish hall of St Saviour."Trying to revive that sort of enthusiasm would be difficult to invoke in this modern age. "But starting the conversation by reaching out to as many people of possible in all walks of life is one of the primary functions and, hopefully, we will be able to put up our voting figures."
CBC
03-07-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Georges St-Pierre calls Order of Canada his 'greatest honour'
The former UFC star's recent appointment was in recognition of his anti-bullying and sports promotion work among young people.
Washington Post
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
We're young and love America. Our peers should be patriotic, too.
Opinions asked readers and members of the History Made by Us Youth250 Bureau, a network of young adults working to increase civic participation, how they're feeling about the country. These are some of their answers. A year ago, I would not have said that I'm patriotic. I don't normally celebrate the Fourth of July, and I'm often critical of our government's actions and policies.
CTV News
03-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Ex-teacher turned cop connects with Sault students in liaison role
As the 2024–25 school year concluded, Const. Lyndsey Pilkington of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service reflected on her inaugural year as the city's High School Liaison Officer – a role revitalized last fall through a renewed partnership between local police and school boards. Pilkington, a former teacher turned nine-year police veteran, has spent the past eight months bridging gaps between youth, educators, and law enforcement, emphasizing trust and community over enforcement. A role reborn: From classroom to hallways Pilkington's appointment in November 2024 marked the return of a full-time liaison officer to Sault Ste. Marie's schools after the program had been halted prior to the pandemic. The position, jointly funded by the Algoma District School Board and Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board, serves five high schools, blending crime prevention with mentorship. Pilkington talks with school boards Const. Lyndsey Pilkington's first meeting with the two Sault-area school boards that partnered with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service to restart the High School Liaison Officer program in November 2024. (Supplied/Sault Ste. Marie Police Service) 'Connecting with youth has always been a focus of mine, whether in the classroom or in uniform,' Pilkington wrote in a blog post reflecting on her first school year in the role last month. Her dual background proved pivotal: 'This opportunity was the perfect fit for me.' Breaking barriers: 'Showing up as a human first' Initial skepticism from students – a challenge Pilkington anticipated – gave way to trust through consistent engagement. 'Policing can come with preconceived notions,' she said, but transparency and casual interactions, like handing out free Frosters coupons for positive behavior, helped dismantle barriers. Operation Freeze For a school project, Gracelyn had to interview a community helper, she chose Const. Lyndsey Pilkington. As a thank you, she received a sweet treat: a coupon for a free Froster from Circle K as part of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service's Operation Freeze. (Sault Ste. Marie Police Service/Instagram) By year's end, Pilkington noted she 'exceeded even [her] own expectations' in building relationships. Highlights included mediating conflicts, celebrating graduations, and connecting students with community resources. 'It's about more than just being present,' she wrote. 'It's acting as a bridge.' Chain of Life - Sault As Students Against Impaired Driving Week came to a close on May 16, 2025, students from White Pines Collegiate & Vocational School visited Sault Police at Division 2 to take a photo with their 'Chain of Life' - a powerful visual project made up of pledges from students across local high schools and elementary schools who have committed to not driving impaired or distracted. (Supplied/Sault Ste. Marie Police Service) Community impact: Small gestures, big ripples The liaison role's success hinged on visibility. Pilkington attended school events, posed for photos, and leveraged initiatives like Circle K's 'Operation Freeze' to reward good behavior. Algoma District School Board Education Director Lucia Reece praised the program's revival when it was announced, citing 'stronger relationships between students and police.' For Pilkington, the rewards were personal: 'Watching this year's graduates cross the stage, knowing I'll meet a new group in September, reminded me why this role matters – for safety and community'. Sault elementary track meet volunteers Const. Lyndsey Pilkington stopped into observe a local elementary school track and field meet in Sault Ste. Marie in June 2025 and observed some familiar faces volunteering from the high schools she serves. (Sault Ste. Marie Police Service/Instagram) Looking ahead: A foundation for the future With summer underway, Pilkington anticipates her second year, buoyed by support from school boards and the police service, who called the partnership 'a critical step in rebuilding trust'. Pilkington - pickleball High School Liaison Officer, Const. Lyndsey Pilkington, having a great time playing pickleball with students from the Kina Awiiya Secondary Program and Prince Charles Secondary School at the Waterfront Adventure Centre in June 2025. (Sault Ste. Marie Police Service/Instagram) 'Thank you to everyone who welcomed me,' Pilkington concluded. 'I'm already looking forward to another great year.'
