Vani Sharma, Chair Dario Smagata, Vice-Chair Jackson Root, Secretary Shelby Laing, Promotions Co-ordinator Sarah Ane, Staff Liaison
Ayden Durco, Member Cleah Fast, Member Catherine Maltais, Member Ethan Beres, Member Leo Paraskevopoulos, Member Natalie Barrett, Member Owen Gallagher, Member Rachel Dellavalle, Member Sarah Egert, Member Sydney Patten, Member
History of the MYAC
In 2004, Welland Mayor Damian Goulborne, created the Welland Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council to give youth a voice and prove that youth can contribute positively towards society. He realized that youth were not represented in the city and felt that they were an important part of the community. The role of the MYAC was to provide a communication link between the youth and the Welland City Council and also voice youth’s concerns all while providing events throughout the city.
Our Beliefs & Vision
The Welland Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council’s motto is ‘By Youth. For Youth.’ We believe that everyone should be the best they can be and we encourage others to follow their dreams and passions. Our vision is to enhance the quality of life, health and well being for youth in their community. We help in coordinating events for the youth as well as volunteer in the community and encourage other youth to do the same.
Our Community Involvement
We hold monthly meetings the first Wednesday of every month in the Community Room at Welland Community Wellness Complex at 4:30pm. We also volunteer throughout the community and frequent Youth Innovations, the Welland Arena, the Welland library, schools and other outlets in the city.
The MYAC is involved with several community projects and volunteer opportunities.
· Advocating for Youth. We frequently go to city council meetings to give updates and voice concerns of the youth to the Mayor and councillors. We have several members sitting on other advocacy committees such as The WCWC Advisory committee. The MYAC also attend all Niagara Regional Youth Council meeting to meet other MYACs and discuss regional issues.
This year we have created a monthly newsletter to update community members on important events and MYAC initiatives.
· Volunteering in the Community. We participate in the weekly Friday Night’s Out children’s program, serve Open Arms Mission Lunches to the less fortunate, act as hosts for Open Doors Niagara at the Welland Courthouse and tour guides for Winter Light tours and participate in Rob’s Run for Rotary. We also donate money and items to various charities and food banks, acted as advisors for the renovations of Youth Innovations, plan activities and programming for the Wellness Complex, walk in the annual Santa Claus parade and serve hot chocolate and cookies. The MYAC is also involved in several other city events and can always be seen around Welland.
· Our Events. The MYAC plans and run events in Welland. In the past we have run youth dodge ball tournaments, teen dances, video game competitions, and events at Youth Innovations. We recently ran Rock Hard Ride Hard, a band show and skateboard competition in the late Spring. We also have monthly teen skates at the Youth arena every third Friday of the month.
We are very involved in our community and believe in making a difference and proving the benefit youth can be to Welland. We hope to inspire youth and adults alike!
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Sincerely, The Welland Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council