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The Brampton Guardian
Brampton’s youth-friendly status goes platinum
The Brampton Guardian
Saturday October 31 2009
 
BRAMPTON - With a perfect score giving it platinum status, Brampton was honoured last week as a Youth Friendly Community by provincial organization Play Works.

The city was recognized along with 10 others at a reception at Queen’s Park. Brampton was one of only two communities to reach the platimum level, meeting all 16 criteria.

Other communities earned bronze, silver and gold ratings for meeting most, but not all of the criteria.

Margarett Best, Ontario’s minister of health promotion, presented the plaques to the winning communities at the reception.

Other winners are: Hamilton (bronze), Pickering (bronze), Sault Ste. Marie (gold), the County of Brant (bronze), the municipalities of Brooke-Alvinston (bronze) and Port Hope (platinum), the Towns of Ajax (gold), Hanover (silver), the Township of Rideau Lakes (bronze), and Canadian Forces Base Petawawa (bronze).

The title is bestowed upon communities that offer adolescent youth with opportunities to play and to participate in and contribute to their communities.

Since 2005, 32 Ontario communities have been recognized as Youth Friendly.

“Play isn’t just playing,” said Jennifer Cowie Bonne, Play Works chair. “It’s an essential and necessary aspect of development for youth.?When communities make youth play a priority, they help youth reach their full potential. Youth Friendly Communities help to build a skilled?and employable workforce, a creative cultural community, and healthier individuals - lessening the?burden on our healthcare and social justice systems.”

Play Works membership includes the YMCA Ontario, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ontario,  Sport Alliance of Ontario, 4-H Ontario, Ontario Physical and Health Education Association, Arts Network for Children and Youth, Ontario Young People’s Alliance, Laidlaw Foundation, Ontario Parks and Recreation and Ontario Youth Educational Research.