The Engaged, Healthy Community Advisory Committee (EHCAC) provides strategic advice, guidance, and recommendations to Council on matters related to: • the diversity and accessibility (economic, informational and social barriers [not physical]) of recreation opportunities; • community pride and sense of belonging in the community; • arts and culture; • safety and well-being of residents; and • community engagement.
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If you would like to apply to join the Engaged, Healthy Community Advisory Committee, please fill out an application form.
Provide advice and recommendations on policies, programs, regulations and strategies pertaining to a healthy, engaged community through the following actions:
Contributing to the development of policies, programs, regulations and strategies that promote sense of community, belonging, social well-being, and enhance community engagement.
Contributing to the development of programs, policies, regulations and strategies that support arts and culture initiatives.
Providing a voice for community members, especially underrepresented groups, to ensure equitable access to services and resources.
Ensure that Engaged Healthy Community strategic goals are being considered in the organization’s decisions.
The EHCAC will meet on the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm except in August and December. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the Chair for urgent matters provided that administrative and staff liaison support are available.
Agendas are available prior to meetings. Minutes are available upon approval. Click here to access the meetings calendar.
The EHCAC will be comprised of the following members:
2 members with lived experience and/or in-depth knowledge of the needs of and connections to communities that have historically experienced exclusion, discrimination and oppression;
2 artists;
1 member of the Maple Ridge commercial property development community;
1 School District No. 42 Board Trustee;
1 member representing the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows & Katzie Community Network (or alternate);
1 member representing the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Family Education & Support Centre (or alternate);
3 members at large with the goal of representation from youth, senior, and business communities and interest in the mandate subject matter, and where possible, at least one member who is an Indigenous person.
Maple Ridge Youth Strategy & Youth Development Wheel
As one of the fastest growing municipalities in the region, the City has a high proportion of youth who face a challenging and ever-changing world. To help support the positive physical, social and psychological development of our youth (12-18 years) and emerging adults (19-24), the City, with support from community partners, has developed a Youth Strategy & Youth Development Wheel.
This highly collaborative process involved over 1,000 local youth, emerging adults, parents/caregivers, and service providers through a series of surveys, interviews, workshops, focus groups, and Youth and Adult working groups. This input, along with best practice research and principles for youth development, was used to develop a number of recommendations to enhance support for youth and emerging adults, improve working partnerships between youth, caregivers and service providers, and create pathways to ensure that youth are seen as partners in their own future.
These recommendations have been organized into four major theme areas:
Making Maple Ridge a place where youth can thrive is a shared responsibility of our whole community. Developing the Youth Strategy is the first step of many on this journey – this community-owned plan will require continued communication, collaboration and action by many partners. The City's role in implementing the recommendations will include a range of leading initiatives, partnering with other organizations, and advocating to influence decisions and policy at more senior levels of government. City staff will work closely with partners and other agencies to develop a framework to implement the Strategy over several years. Together, we can create an even stronger network to support, engage, and empower the younger members of our society.
For questions or more information regarding the Youth Strategy or Youth Development Wheel, please email Youth Services.
