What are the Strategic Directions?

    The strategic directions guide a series of actions that will be implemented in order to achieve the vision of the Youth Service Plan.  The strategic directions include:

    Strategic Direction 1: The Power of Asset Building:  Youth and community will have a greater awareness of the Power of Asset Building and its role in supporting youth. This assets-based framework will produce measurable results as to how effective Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services are in influencing positive youth development.

    Strategic Direction 2: Marketing and Communications:  Youth and parents will be more knowledgeable about programs and opportunities available in Richmond. The application of new-media technology is needed to give youth timely, accurate, accessible information about community events, services and opportunities to make informed choices.

    Strategic Direction 3: Increased Opportunities for Youth:  Youth will have access to an increased number of recreational, social and cultural opportunities that are geared towards their specific interests and needs. Deliberate planning with partners around a core grouping of activities can ensure a broader range of programs being offered at any given time.

    Strategic Direction 4: Increasing Inter-Agency Programming:  Broad networks will be established with other youth-serving agencies. Youth will be connected to other opportunities and services in the city and region through a system of referrals and networking in order to meet individual needs and interests.

    Strategic Direction 5: Moving Towards Standards:  Youth will benefit from having consistent city-wide messages across all programs. The aim is to attract and retain high performing employees in a well-compensated and desirable place to work.

    Strategic Direction 6: Bridging Services to Low-Asset Youth:  Building upon the Roving Leader model, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services will increase its ability to identify and transition low-asset youth into increased opportunities and activities. The bridging requires strong relationships with the numerous service agencies and places where these youth have already made first contact with an adult counselor.

    Strategic Direction 7: Acknowledge and Increase of the Social Capital of Youth:   ‘Social Capital’ refers to the collective values, networks and relationships of trust and tolerance that all contribute to weaving a social fabric in this community. The social capital of youth will be increased through establishing a strength-based approach to youth programming.

    Strategic Direction 8: Dedicated Safe and Social Spaces:  City spaces will be designed and operated in a way that promotes social gathering and safety. Recognizing that safety goes beyond physical safety, youth also feel safe when prevailing attitudes are welcome and friendly.

    Strategic Direction 9: Undertaking Evaluation:  Evaluation of the progress on implementing the actions in the Youth Service Plan will be monitored. City staff will report back to Richmond organizations and citizens, as well as the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee annually on the status of the Implementation Plan.