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Children Running Outdoors

This is not a program; it’s a new approach to identifying and establishing long-term strategies that promote positive environmental changes for the young people who grow up here. Building a strong community around children is the healthiest and most cost-effective way to promote their well-being in the future.

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​Planet Youth Nogojiwanong - Brought to you by PYSUP, with the mentorship of Planet Youth, will be implementing this long-term, community-driven approach to ensure that youth are immersed in healthy, supportive social environments and learn to adopt healthy behaviours.  The IPM uses local data to determine actions that will increase protective factors and reduce risk factors in the 4 areas where youth spend most of their time: ​

The four quadrants in the Planet Youth approach focus: family, peer group, school community and leisure time

Our Story

The Peterborough Youth Substance Use Prevention (PYSUP) Initiative began in January 2024, following Lakelands Public Health's (formerly Peterborough Public Health) success in securing one of seven new projects funded across Canada by the Public Health Agency of Canada's Youth Substance Use Prevention Program (YSUPP). â€‹â€‹

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We have decided to focus on starting with the school communities in the south end of Peterborough, based on some public health surveys of risk and protective factors and conversations with the school boards. These schools are ready to do this work. We intend to include all of the Peterborough City and County communities eventually. We've made significant progress, securing school board partnerships and forming a dedicated Community Coordinating Team (CCT).

 

​Since then, Lakelands Public Health has partnered with the Peterborough Drug Strategy to coordinate this work in a collaborative manner. Utilizing partnerships with the Peterborough Drug Strategy and other collaborative tables, leaders in education, healthcare, local governments, and police services, as well as various volunteer organizations, have come together to form the PYSUP Community Coordinating Table, serving as a steering committee to achieve our collective goal of enhancing the quality of life and communities by preventing drug and substance abuse and misuse.

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The Community Coordinating Team has been meeting since the Fall of 2024 to build the foundation for PYSUP, guided by Planet Youth and their resources. This has included determining potential collaborators, arranging a funding infrastructure to establish PYSUP's sustainability and utilizing their networks and expertise to support the IPM steps.

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Our Partners

  • BGC Kawarthas

  • Camp Kawartha

  • City of Peterborough

  • Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough

  • Community Members

  • CMHA-HKPR

  • John Howard Society of the Kawarthas

  • Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

  • Lakelands Public Health

  • Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre

  • OPP-Peterborough

  • Peterborough Drug Strategy

  • Peterborough Police Service

  • PVNC Catholic School Board

  • United Way Peterborough & District

  • YMCA Central East Ontario (Peterborough Branch)

Learn How You Can Get Involved

Our recommendations for action will be based on clear evidence gathered through in-depth and regular student surveys and by reviewing proven policies and best practices from other jurisdictions.

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Peterborough has a long history of community working together for positive social change and there is already work underway in Peterborough to improve the well-being of youth! 

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