In their own words: Three reasons why young people should fill out the Youth Impact Survey2 min read

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On May 1, the Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region launched the third Waterloo Region Youth Impact Survey (YIS). The survey asks young people aged 9-18 about their experiences in relation to nine dimensions of well-being.

Three Youth Connectors are promoting the survey and championing youth engagement. In their own words, check out the top three reasons why young people in Waterloo Region should fill out the Youth Impact Survey.

Reason 1: It helps our community better understand one another.

“Results from the survey will not only allow efficient program and tool planning by community sources and organizations, but it can also be used among us as youth. We can determine what we should be asking for, what we should be working towards, and what we should be keeping up, to create or maintain a sense of (belonging in the) community. The more youth filling out the survey, the more accurate the data.”

• Haniya Nazir, Youth Connector

Reason 2: It helps us hear many different youth perspectives.

“Every response to the survey helps paint a more accurate picture of youth in Waterloo Region as a whole. Every perspective is recorded and heard so organizations like Children and Youth Planning Table can better the lives of youth not based on assumptions, but based on the issues that matter most to us.”

• Julnar Aizouki, Youth Connector

Reason 3: It enhances youth experiences in the community. Plus, volunteer hours and prizes!

“Oftentimes decisions that influence youth lives are made by adults without the youth’s opinion. This survey gives us the opportunity to speak for ourselves, and the organization can work to incorporate our needs in making spaces. Plus, by filling out the survey you get volunteer hours, chances to win really cool prizes and help create a better community that increases the success and sense of belonging for all groups of people.”

• Naher Tewelde, Youth Connector

For filling out the survey, youth can get volunteer hours and the chance to win one of 60 prizes. Prizes include a PS5, a Nintendo Switch, a tablet, and a roundtrip flight with Flair Airlines.

The survey is open until May 31. Fill out the survey at youthimpactsurvey.ca.