Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Monday, January 29, 2018

A special weather statement is in effect for Chatham-Kent.

Today – Cloudy. Periods of snow beginning early this morning. Amount 5 to 10 cm. Wind north 20 km/h gusting to 40. Temperature falling to minus 4 this afternoon.

Tonight – Flurries. Local amount 2 cm. Wind north 20 km/h gusting to 40. Low minus 10.

Chatham-Kent makes list of Canadian 2018 Millennial Hot Spots

According to Point2Homes’ list of Top Millennial Hot Spots in 2018, Chatham-Kent ranks 67th of Canada’s top 85 cities for millennials.

Canadian cities were ranked based on income, housing affordability, unemployment rate, life satisfaction, low crime rate, healthcare, climate, level of education, and the percentage of millennials in the total population. Unexpectedly, the top three ranked cities weren’t the largest in Canada and seven of the top ten best cities for millennials have a population under 500,000.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent and Council have been focused on resident attraction and retention (RAR) in the community since 2011, when the census indicated a -4.2% decline of the population. Efforts targeted young people (aged 15-39), immigrants, and active retiree populations to address the decline, and continue through the CK Plan 2035.

“News like the Top Millennial Hot Spot list shows these efforts are paying off and underscores the importance of community-wide initiatives that help secure Chatham-Kent’s future for upcoming generations,” stated Mayor Randy Hope.

The baCK to Chatham-Kent initiative was launched in response to the notable population declines occurring in the 15 to 39 year age group in 2011. The campaign celebrates young people that have chosen to return to Chatham-Kent and encourages others to do so by promoting and connecting them to local opportunities.

The latest census numbers, from 2016, report a significant reduction in the total population decline (to -2%) and improvements in key age cohorts for young people. The 30-34 year old demographic increased between 2011 and 2016 by 5.4% (from -8.7%), and the rate of decline for those aged 20 – 24 (-8.3%) and 35 – 44 (-4%) have improved from -13.7% and -14.9% respectively.

These trends support a positive picture of Chatham-Kent’s increasing attractiveness to young people and their desire to make Chatham-Kent home.

“After living in the big city (Toronto), I couldn’t wait to slow down the pace and return home to my family and friends. The cost of living in Chatham-Kent is also incredible. We purchased a 10 acre lake front property for the same price as our 850 square foot condo in Toronto,” says Rosanna Mitchell, who recently moved baCK to Chatham-Kent.

“It’s no surprise that Chatham-Kent would make this list,” stated Steve Carroll, President of the Chatham-Kent Association of REALTORS®.

“The latest stats in the CKAR out of town home buyers survey show 30% of homes sold in CK are to people from outside the area. “Even though the average price for 2017 has risen 13%, we are still one of the most affordable places to live, and the word has gotten out.”

In addition to an affordable housing market and declining unemployment rate, Chatham-Kent is able to provide a high quality of life and work-life balance that young people look for when deciding where to live. The 2017 Chatham-Kent to the Power of Young People survey showcases that 15 – 39 year olds are happy living in Chatham-Kent, with 93% reporting a desire to remain connected to the community.

“CK was featured in the Globe & Mail as a retirement hotspot, so it is good to see that we are now on a list of millennial hotspots. Many community groups have been working together to make CK attractive for residents of all ages and our collaborative work to promote and develop CK will continue,” stated Audrey Ansell, Manager of Community Attraction and Promotion with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is increasing efforts to attract and retain residents by focusing on talent attraction to meet local labour market needs. Targeted attraction efforts have begun which support employers that have had difficulty filling labour market needs locally. These efforts will help to not only fill workforce needs but will contribute to addressing population decline.

Here is a link to the original report: Top Millennial Hot Spots in 2018 – 85 Canadian Cities Ranked

Free community meals in Wallaceburg for February

Here is a list of the FREE community meals in Wallaceburg in the month of February:

Dresden blood donor clinic

A blood donor clinic is being held at the Dresden Arena hall on Tuesday, January 30 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Visit blood.ca to book your appointment.

YMCAs look to unify

Based on a strong history of collaboration, the YMCAs across Southwestern Ontario and the YMCA of Western Ontario have agreed in principle to work toward a unified, single, regional YMCA.

A comprehensive review of both organizations’ strengths, challenges and opportunities has been conducted.

Together they would serve the full region from Windsor in the West, North to Goderich, South to Point
Pelee National Park, East to Woodstock.

“We have a long-standing positive working relationship that includes our collaborative partnership to successfully create Camp Henry at Point Pelee National Park,” stated Board Chair of the YMCA of Western Ontario, Marjie Macoun.

“We are really excited about this possibility of becoming one organization.”

The Boards, CEOs and staff leadership recognized their strong alignment in mission, vision, values and programming and see this as an opportunity to better serve our communities.

For Shawn Zettel, Chair of the YMCAs across Southwestern Ontario, maintaining local connections remains a priority.

“The unification plan will allow the YMCAs to access the benefits of a regional organization while also maintaining strong local leadership and community-level connections, so that local YMCAs ‘look and feel’ like the community they serve,” stated Zettel.

The spirit of YMCAs staying connected to local communities will remain a priority, YMCA officials stated.

The work over the coming months will focus on developing the business and transition plan.

A final decision regarding whether or not to become one organization will likely occur by the summer of 2018.

These YMCAs are not alone in their pursuit of unification.

“Across North America, YMCAs have been joining forces to achieve greater impact on the communities they serve,” stated Andrew Lockie, CEO, YMCA of Western Ontario.

“The decision is consistent and aligned with the YMCA Canada Strategy and vision to strengthen the overall capacity and capabilities of YMCAs across Canada. The aim is to grow and create impact in a rapidly changing community environment and philanthropic landscape. This work of strengthening regional areas by creating larger regional organizations is occurring across other sectors as well.”

Kathi Lomas-McGee, Interim CEO, YMCAs across Southwestern Ontario explained the importance of
planning for today and years to come.

“We remain committed to serving our members and communities in the best possible way as we plan for the future,” Lomas-McGee said.

“We believe together, we will create lasting impact in all our communities for generations to come.”

The YMCA of Western Ontario and YMCAs across Southwestern Ontario are recognized leaders in building healthy communities and are focused on building health, ensuring belonging, and helping everyone we serve achieve their full potential – at any age or stage.

The YMCA is open to all, regardless of financial ability. The YMCA’s goal is to serve as many community members as possible and provides subsidy when needed to ensure this goal.

The YMCAs across Southwestern Ontario currently serve more than 21,000 participants in 49 locations in the region, throughout Sarnia-Lambton, Chatham-Kent, Goderich-Huron, North Middlesex, Lambton Shores, and Central Huron.

The YMCA of Western Ontario serve 138,183 people across all our programs and services, from Windsor to Woodstock.

As a charity the YMCAs across Southwestern Ontario provided financial assistance to 1 in 5 members
and participants in 2016, equaling more than $479,000 in financial assistance.

The YMCA of Western Ontario provided financial assistance to 1 in 3 members and participants in 2016, equaling more than 2.4 million in financial assistance.

Ontario providing more support for refugees

Ontario is supporting refugees, refugee claimants and other vulnerable newcomers by investing in services to help them successfully settle into their new lives in Ontario.

Laura Albanese, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, was at the Brampton Multicultural Community Centre recently to make the announcement.

“The successful settlement and integration of refugees and vulnerable newcomers is important for the prosperity of our province,” stated Albanese.

“This new investment addresses service gaps and helps improve the long-term success of newcomers, giving them the tools and opportunities to make valuable contributions to our communities and our economy.”

A total of 95 projects will receive funding for services to help improve social and economic outcomes for refugees and other vulnerable newcomers, including immediate settlement and long-term integration support.

These programs and services will provide:

– Settlement, case management and mental health supports.

– Programming tailored to the needs of vulnerable newcomer women and youth, including skills and leadership development, mentoring, peer supports and domestic violence prevention.

– Economic integration services such as employment support, occupation-specific training, language learning, job placements and entrepreneurship supports.

– Helping newcomers thrive and succeed is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

“Programs like the Peel Good Start Refugee Youth Program and Go Girls! in communities like Brampton need our support, which is why it is important that the government of Ontario is investing in these much-needed social and economic integration services for refugees, refugee claimants and vulnerable newcomers, including women,” stated Harinder Malhi, Minister of the Status of Women, in a press release. T

“Together we are focused on making Ontario a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

More details:

– Ontario is investing $17.5 million in new funding over two years to enhance targeted services for refugees and vulnerable newcomers.

– A total of 95 projects have been funded and must occur between January 2018 and March 31, 2019.
In 2017-18, Ontario is investing over $110 million in newcomer and refugee supports including language training, settlement and employment programs.

– In 2016, Ontario received almost half of total refugees to Canada, and 65% of refugee claimants.
Refugees will also continue to settle in Ontario through secondary migration and relocation from other provinces as they explore settlement needs and work opportunities.