Abbotsford Your Commision
"for YOUth"

Mission Statement

The Abbotsford Youth Commission exists to identify, promote, improve, increase and provide services and programs for youth in Abbotsford.

Background

In 1990, the Districts of Matsqui and Abbotsford established a Youth Commission to ensure that concerns and problems respecting youth in our community would be heard. The goal was to actively identify and promote avenues by which resources in the community could best address youth issues. A Youth Services Coordinator was hired to oversee the operation of the Youth Commission and a Board of Directors was established. The Youth Commission was under the direction of the Matsqui Abbotsford Recreation Commission. A year later a Youth Programs Coordinator was hired.
 
In 1996, the Abbotsford Youth Commission became a non-profit society. We receive core funding from the City of Abbotsford and submit proposals and fundraise to operate existing and initiate new programs and services. There are three staff members; the Executive Director, the Supervisor of Recreation and Events and the Administrative Assistant. We hire part-time staff to coordinate and facilitate many of our programs.

Goals

To advocate on behalf of youth

• To assist in the development of a positive profile for youth.
• To provide opportunities for community involvement.
• To encourage community investment in youth.

Implement programs for youth in the community

• To continue and enhance preventative leisure/recreation options for youth.
• To provide training, leadership, and volunteer experiences for youth.
• To increase the quality of Youth Commission services provided to the community.

Be actively involved with the community in developing programs & services for youth.

• To encourage healthy youth and families
• To create avenues for youth involvement in social/political action
• To focus on awareness and prevention of identified youth social issues.

• To promote the Youth Commission as a resource for youth, parents, and the community.
• To enhance and revise materials which promote services for Abbotsford youth.