Innovative 'Students Build Cities' Program Coming This Fall!
Photo: Andrew Gunn and Emily Stage of young & free press stand behind the Ignite Youth Centre, where the walls will soon be transformed with a new mural by artist Meaghan Claire Kehoe as well as a gallery of paintings and drawings by local students. This space will become one of the settings for students to gather as part of the new Students Build Cities program.
New “Students Build Cities” Program Comes to St. Thomas
Innovative collaboration between Thames Valley District School Board, Ignite Youth Centre, and young & free press puts students front & centre in the ongoing renewal of the community
With the aim of engaging students in the process of city-building, the Thames Valley District School Board, Ignite Youth Centre, and our team at young & free press have joined forces to introduce a new program called Students Build Cities in St. Thomas. Virtual and in-person sessions will connect local elementary and secondary school students directly to real-life developments that are happening in the community, including public art installations, the design of new park spaces, residential and commercial developments, augmented reality experiences, and the renewal of the downtown core. The program will launch in September.
“We want to connect students directly to new and ongoing projects happening in St. Thomas right now,” notes Laura Briscoe, Innovation Coordinator at Thames Valley District School Board. “Through this experiential learning, students will gain valuable insight into the development and implementation of community projects, and provide input to inspire new ones. Our aim is to provide exceptional experiences for students with diverse interests. With city-building initiatives, there are compelling opportunities for all students to learn and be engaged.”
St. Thomas is in the midst of a significant reinvention. Hard hit by the loss of traditional manufacturing businesses during the Great Recession, the community has shifted gears to focus on becoming one of the best places to live and work in southwestern Ontario. Recently, Maclean’s magazine ranked the community third on the list of ‘Best Places to Live and Work Remotely in 2021’ in Canada. This speaks to the strength of the local home-building industry, recreation amenities, and a surprisingly vibrant arts and culture scene. The manufacturing sector has rebounded, too, with an assortment of industries setting up locally. Through the Students Build Cities program, young people will have many opportunities to drive the community forward by sharing ideas for how St. Thomas can continue to evolve.
“Our team at young & free press is thrilled to work with the Thames Valley District School Board to help Students Builds Cities,” comments Andrew Gunn, President of Andrew Gunn Consulting and Owner & Editor of young & free press. “Over the past two years, we have arranged more than $3M in funding to support community projects in St. Thomas, including the ‘Track to the Future’ mural project, the forthcoming ‘Westlake – Evans Civic Park’, the ‘Engage’ augmented reality app, as well as the pop-up patios initiative downtown, the introduction of the Evans Sisters’ Water Trail at Dalewood Conservation Area, and enhancements to the St. Thomas Elevated Park. Much of this work has been supported by the Estate of Donna Bushell and we have worked in collaboration with exceptional community partners. Next, we want to help connect more students to the process of city-building, and provide real and virtual platforms to make this happen. This is going to have a major impact on the community.”
Beginning this fall, students will be able to provide input on a series of large-scale projects, including the establishment of the Westlake-Evans Civic Park and Curtis Street Square by the City of St. Thomas, the Tiny Hope residential project led by YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin, the new Hospice Elgin development, as well as the ongoing ‘Track to the Future’ mural project and the expansion of the ‘Engage’ augmented reality app.
One of the spaces in the city where the action will happen is the Ignite Youth Centre. Located in the heart of downtown St. Thomas, new enhancements to the front and back of the building will serve as backdrops for Thames Valley District School Board students to host events, produce social media content, and give input on what is happening in the city through segments on young & free press. This direct civic engagement will elevate the voices of local youth as the community continues to grow. Ignite is also the home of the STEAM Education Centre, where the ‘STEAM Community Studio’ program focusses on experiential learning and innovation, providing ways for elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students to investigate challenges facing St. Thomas and Elgin County and propose solutions.
“Through the Students Build Cities program, our vision is for local students to feel heard as well as empowered to spark positive change in the community,” adds Laura Briscoe. “The fact that this can happen in coordination with the Ignite Youth Centre is significant, as this provides a link between the traditional school environment and the wider community. With the STEAM Centre present, too, we can connect with the ‘STEAM Community Studio’ program, where funding is available to prototype solitons to local challenges. Ultimately, we are building an ecosystem for TVDSB students to influence the future of St. Thomas in meaningful ways.”
