Community Services
Content
The Community Services Department is comprised of three functions: Social Planning, Youth Services, and Neighbourhood Development.
Social Planning supports the Social Planning Advisory Committee to improve the social well-being of the community by building community capacity through Social Services Network Development, Community Solutions, and Community Building initiatives, and by encouraging Socially Sustainable practices for current and future citizens.
Youth Services oversees the Greg Moore and Pitt Meadows Youth Centres and provides recreational program services for preschool children (0 - 5 years), school age children (6 - 12 years), and youth (13 - 18 years) throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
Programming utilizes a benefit-based approach with a focus on active living and leadership development. As concerns grow regarding inactivity levels and the effects of the growing number of children living in poverty, partnerships have been developed to offer programming within a collaborative framework increasing the department's ability to respond to the growing needs of these age groups.
Community Services recognizes the important role that neighbourhoods play in overall community health and wellness. Neighbourhood Services supports neighbourhood development; neighbourhood network development; and neighbourhood input to community planning processes. This work is enhanced by the development of partnerships and through the contribution to community wide initiatives.