updated Jan. 11
I am inviting you to consider applying to be a member of the City of Kitchener’s “Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee.” If you are not interested but know someone who would be a great addition, please share this post with them.
The official word
Here is the official blurb about the committee from the city’s website:
Safe and healthy community advisory committee
Advises council and staff on policies, programs and services offered directly by or in conjunction with the city that relate to the health of the city with a focus on community safety and crime prevention. Note: As per Council’s direction, the committee will be commencing a review of its Terms of Reference as part of its initial work plan. For more information, please contact Linda Korabo at 519-741-2591. View Terms of Reference.
According to the current Terms of Reference, the committee includes:
- 2-3 Members of the community-at-large
- 1 Inner City Resident (Ward 9 or 10)
- 1 Suburban Resident
- Representatives from each of the following sectors:
- law enforcement;
- social services;
- sports / recreation;
- education;
- social planning;
- land use planning; and,
- business
- It also includes;
- 1 Representative of the Downtown Advisory Committee
- 1 Representative of the Waterloo Regional Police Service.
- 1 Representative of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council
- 1 member of Council
There’s one meeting a month. I understand it’s normally been 4 – 6 on the first Thursday of the month (but that is at the discretion of the committee). There are likely additional subcommittee meetings and other expectations such as materials to read.
Apply online!
In short, everyone who lives in the city of Kitchener qualifies to be on the committee. If you are interested, you can apply online. The deadline to apply in January 25.
Building a Healthy Kitchener is important
As I presented to city council, I believe that this committee plays an important role in building a healthy Kitchener. I won’t repeat my presentation here so please read about why we need this committee. You may also like to read an earlier post where I look in more detail at what a “healthy” community means and how the committee is relevant to the responsibilities of the City of Kitchener.
But it’s not important because I think it is. The City of Kitchener’s strategic plan is called “A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener (PDF)” and so it is the foundation of the city’s strategic vision. Here is where you can learn more about the strategic plan and how it came about.
Interested in learning more about a Safe and Healthy Community?
If you would like to learn more about what a “safe and healthy community” means and integral concepts, you might read some of the following resources:
Healthy Community
- What makes a community healthy? – Ontario Healthy Community Coalition (OHCC)
- “Healthy Communities” Backgrounder – OHCC
- World Health Organiztion website on Urban Health
- Wellesley Institute Website | Advancing Urban Health
Crime Prevention
Social Determinants of Health
- Government of Canada’s look at the Social Determinants of Health
- Addressing Social Determinants of Health in the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (LHIN)
- Validating “Addressing Social Determinants of Health in the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (LHIN)” - Region of Waterloo Public Health
- Opportunities Waterloo Region website (coaltion to reduce and prevent poverty)
- Stepping It Up: Moving the Focus from Health Care in Canada to a Healthier Canada - Health Council Canada
How a city is Designed & Developed
- Neighbourhood Design in Kitchener
- Jane’s Walk – related to the work of urban activist Jane Jacobs including her influential book “The Death and Life of American Cities“
- Project for Public Spaces
- Richard Florida’s website (author of The Rise of the Creative Class Revisited)
I’m sure there are more resources that could be added here. If you have a suggestion, please let me know.
