Motivate Canada – Ottawa (ON) – Feb. 4, 2016 – Motivate Canada’s ACTIVATE Ontario Youth Leadership Initiative kicks off the first of six local youth leadership forums happening across Ontario, this weekend in Ottawa from Friday, Feb. 5th to Sunday, Feb. 7th. A collaboration between Motivate Canada and True Sport, ACTIVATE Ottawa supports youth-led sports and recreation projects by providing leadership training for Ottawa area youth, including Renfrew County, and other youth-serving organizations.

Partner Organizations from the Ottawa and Renfrew areas nominated youth to participate in the ACTIVATE Ottawa initiative, which begins with a 3-day forum and extends over a period of 12 months to allow youth leaders to create ACTIVATE in Action projects; community based physical activity initiatives or a leadership forum of their own. These youth leaders, deemed ACTIVATORS, will work with local organizations to inspire other youth in their communities to become more active and live balanced healthy lifestyle. ACTIVATE Ottawa is made possible with the support of the Ottawa Senators Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Government of Ontario’s Sport and Recreation Communities Fund.

ACTIVATE Ottawa Youth Forum Details:

WHO 40 of the most promising youth leaders (aged 16 to 22) from the Ottawa area and Renfrew County and 6 youth volunteer mentors (ACTIVATE program alumni) who make up the ACTIVATE Ottawa organizing committee.

WHAT ACTIVATE Ottawa – a 3-day youth leadership forum which trains youth leaders to be the catalysts for positive change in their communities using sport and physical activity initiatives; providing access to safe active living programs and engaging more youth in active healthy behaviours long-term.

WHERE Bonnenfant YMCA-YWCA Outdoor Education and Leadership Centre 1620 Sixth Line Rd, Dunrobin, ON K0A 1T0 (Directions)
WHEN Friday, February 5, 2016 – 4:00 p.m. Opening ceremonies followed by interactive activities that facilitate group connectivity and introduce youth-driven development, youth and community engagement and how they all intersect to drive positive social change.

Saturday, February 6, 2016 – 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Variety of interactive workshops including: sport for development, Physical Literacy, Action Planning, including planning for activities to be hosted at Motivate Canada’s Winterlude event on Feb. 7, 2016. Other highlights include keynote speaker, ESTEEM Team Athlete Role Model, Mark Hatfield, former CFL and NFL Football Player from Ottawa who will address the group between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 7, 2016 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The forum will end with workshops that focus on facilitation and program implementation in community with the closing ceremonies commencing at 1:30 p.m. The highlight of the day will be when delegates have the opportunity to put their training into practice by hosting a “Sports Zone” at Motivate Canada’s Get in the Game Winterlude event from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Ottawa City Hall, Marion Dewar Plaza.

Motivate Canada is also pleased to recognize the various community partners who will be supporting ACTIVATORS in their leadership roles post-forum:
 Britannia Woods Community Housing
 Catholic Centre for Immigrants
 Christy Lake Kids
 Ottawa Community Housing
 Russell High School
 Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts
 Ottawa Carleton Ultimate Association
 Gloucester Recreation and Development Centre
 Renfrew Salvation Army
 Renfrew County Youth Council
 Renfrew Family Services – Three Doors
 Russel High School
 Madawaska Valley District High School
 BLR Youth Crew

ACTIVATE Ottawa takes a more localized approached in regards to building community relations. By creating lasting partnerships with various community leaders and organizations, ACTIVATE Ottawa guides youth through a series of post forum meetings and skill development giving them the tools to give back in ways that are meaningful to them, their peers and community. ACTIVATE Ottawa is a continuous program that follows its participants beyond the 3 day forum, supporting them while their ideas turn into real projects that make real differences.

Since its inception in 2004, the ACTIVATE program has hosted over 25Leadership Forums at national and regional levels. Now, talented youth leaders will be sharing their experience and hosting the first local forum in Vancouver using the Youth Driven Development framework Motivate Canada has developed over the past decade.

About Motivate Canada: Motivate Canada’s Youth-Driven Development approach taps into the natural optimism, energy, curiosity, and adventurous spirit that young people have in abundance. Using the power of sport, physical activity and positive peer role models, Motivate Canada’s four core programs—GEN7, ESTEEM Team, ACTIVATE, and Clean Air Champions—give young people the tools, training, and confidence to make a difference in their lives and communities on their own terms. For more information please visit: www.motivatecanada.ca.

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For more information, contact:
Dan Dubeau ACTIVATE Program Manager Motivate Canada Cell: 613-355-0735 dan@motivatecanada.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @MotivateCanada, @ACTIVATEProgram