Who are the People in Your Neighbourhood?
Friday, October 20, 2006
Presented by David Redmond
Research Project Undertaken by CPRA
Needs Assessment for
Recreation Practitioners,
Non-Governmental Organizations and
Target Group Participation
Background to the Research
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During the consultations for Everybody gets to play, many
recreation practitioners, volunteers and others said that some
segments of the Canadian population face barriers to
recreation beyond those associated with low income
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Five groups were identified most frequently
 Older adults
 New immigrant families
 Aboriginal people
 Persons with a disability
 Girls and young women
CPRA Response to Comments from the Field

Conduct a preliminary needs assessment to identify barriers
to recreation and initiatives being undertaken to increase
participation among members of the target populations

Consult with recreation practitioners, non-governmental
organizations, and CPRA’s provincial and territorial partners
about engaging these five target populations and what can be
done to overcome barriers
Objectives of the Needs Assessment
Conduct preliminary, cross-Canada consultations about:
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Current initiatives to engage these population segments
Challenges for recreation practitioners and NGOs to
overcome barriers
Resources available
Successes, lessons learned
What would help recreation practitioners and NGOs to do a
better job of engaging members of these target groups and
increase participation
Methodology
Consultations: Winter 2005/06
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15 recreation practitioners in 14 municipalities
11 representatives of 9 not-for-profit organizations working
with specific target groups
14 representatives of CPRA’s P/T partners
Case Studies: Fall 2006
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St. John’s - Older adults
Hamilton - New immigrant families
Regina - Aboriginal people
Ottawa - Persons with a disability
Miramichi - Girls and young women
Findings - Part 1
Understanding Needs
Levels of Awareness and Knowledge of the Needs of
Target Populations
Perceptions and Experiences with Barriers
Levels of Awareness and Knowledge
Knowledge
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Most municipal recreation practitioners believe they have a good
knowledge of the recreation needs and interests of the five populations
Perception that municipal recreation staff know more about needs of older
adults and girls and young women and less about other groups
Accessing information
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However, most also think they lack the means and mechanisms to use
available information to identify and implement practical solutions
Sources of information
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Most important sources of information for municipal recreation
practitioners are organizations in the community with whom they interact
Common Barriers to Recreation
Respondents identified five recreation barriers that are common to
most or all of the five target populations
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A lack of information – considered to be a barrier for all groups:
“Information is a huge barrier”
Resources – Community and service organizations have financial and
human resource constraints
Training of leaders – There is a shortage of trained leaders
Lack of volunteers – Some community groups “can’t do it anymore … the
trend is for the city to take over”
Liability – There is too much of an emphasis on risk management: “The
pendulum has swung too far. It has become more difficult to undertake
volunteer-led initiatives.”
Older Adults - Awareness and Knowledge
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Most municipal recreation practitioners rate their knowledge of
the needs of older adults as good
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They are highly aware of changing demographics and
increases in the numbers of older adults
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Uncertainty about specific impacts of next wave of older adults
and whether municipalities will be able to deal with the changes
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Expectation that baby-boomers will want more programs and
more varied services as seniors
Older Adults - Barriers
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Isolation - Greatest need is for older seniors, particular those
who are isolated or who have trouble getting out
Uncertainty about what to do – Many senior are not sure what to
do and have to learn what activities are offered and where
Transportation – identified as a major barrier to participation of
older adults in recreation activities
Need for volunteers – A greater reliance on volunteers makes
programs for older adults vulnerable to volunteer shortages
Safety – Many older seniors have “a fear of hurting themselves”
and want non-threatening, comfortable activities
New Immigrant Families – Awareness and Knowledge
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Low awareness of municipal recreation practitioners of new immigrant
populations and their recreation needs
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Consensus that there is a great need to improve recreation
opportunities for new immigrants
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Settlement organizations think that recreation practitioners don’t know
about the needs of new immigrants: “They don’t understand”
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Immigrant volunteers can be very helpful and contribute to success
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Some immigrant communities are maturing and there is more
communications with recreation and other service providers
New Immigrant Families – Barriers
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Language and culture – Language barriers and a lack of
programs for different cultural groups
Costs – can be the biggest barrier for new immigrants
Lack of activities for youth – Young people are the focus of most
municipalities; soccer for young adults is an important gap
Lack of access to facilities
Awareness of parents – Parents usually do not know about
recreation opportunities; recreation is a low priority for many
Aboriginal People – Awareness and Knowledge
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Levels of awareness and knowledge of the recreation needs and
interests of Aboriginal people vary widely
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Consensus that knowledge comes from the Aboriginal community
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Importance of involving Aboriginal leaders in the development
and delivery of recreation programs
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Some comment that good information already exists (e.g.,
Saskatchewan in Motion)
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It is important to integrate this type of information into
programming rather than starting from scratch
Aboriginal People – Barriers
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Social problems – circumstances of parents and families can
have a negative impact on participation of children
Poverty in urban areas – poverty is more of a problem in urban
areas than on reserve for recreation
Lack of Aboriginal recreation providers – shortages of
programmers, coaches, supervisors; particularly women
Short-term focus – focus of programs for Aboriginal people often
is too narrow and the timing is too short; relationships and
programs can take years to establish: “You have to be in it for
the long term.”
People with a Disability –
Awareness and Knowledge
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Most recreation practitioners have little knowledge of the
needs of people with a disability
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Information and knowledge tend to come through practical
experience working with persons with a disability and
community service organizations
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Consensus that there is both a need and demand for
training about recreation for people with a disability
People with a Disability – Barriers
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Knowledge of what to do is a problem
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Addressing this problem “requires a lot of work”
“People say it’s important, but no one does anything”
Concern about shortcomings in recreation opportunities for
children and adolescents with disabilities
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Supports available for home and school, but not for recreation
“There is still a huge need for children with physical disabilities”
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Lack of facilities identified as a problem by those more familiar for
recreation for people with a disability
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Other specific challenges were identified
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Coordinating with partners
Developing arts programs
Girls and Young Women –
Awareness and Knowledge
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Most respondents are confident they are aware of the needs of
girls and young women
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Awareness and knowledge has been increasing for many years
and is at a good level now
Some caution expressed: “We’re doing OK”
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Municipal recreation practitioners think there is increased
sensitivity to the needs of girls and young women when offering
programs to ensure they have opportunities to participate
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Service organizations agree that awareness of needs is high,
but that taking action is not a priority
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“Organizations know what they should be doing but aren’t doing it.”
Girls and Young Women – Barriers
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Lack of programming for tweens aged 10 to 13
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The critical drop-out period for young girls remains
adolescence
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Some respondents said that the drop-out age for girls keeps
getting younger
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Lack of recreation opportunities continues into young
adulthood – “especially for non-joiners who are not good at
sport or physical activity.”
Findings - Part 2
Meeting the Challenges
Organizational Approaches and Strategies
Increasing Opportunities, Successes and Lessons
Learned
Municipal Policies for Equality of Access
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Most municipalities have general policies for accessibility and
equal access – some variation of a “basic services for all” policy
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There is uncertainty about the degree to which these policies
have been formalized – much seems to be a matter of practice
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Low income generally is viewed as the most important factor that
is common to all the target groups
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“The root causes are the same: poverty is the common
denominator.”
Municipal Policies for Target Populations
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Few municipalities have policies related to the target populations
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It is more common to have built up programs and practices over
time to provide access: e.g., using recreation coordinators
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Interest in ways to improve recreation services to target groups has
been increasing, but the following comment is typical:
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“We have no real recreation policy … our policy is evolving.”
Some caution was expressed about placing too much emphasis on
target groups
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“because poverty crosses all boundaries”
“The real niche for the municipality is basic services for all people.”
Partnerships
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Partnerships were mentioned frequently as the most important
feature of successful targeted recreation initiatives
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“Partnerships are the key to new initiatives.”
“Our typical role is to work with community partners.”
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Long-term, stable relationships are key; importance of
establishing credibility over time and avoiding short-term
initiatives
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Cooperation and complementary programs are key
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As they become more responsive to the needs of low-income and
target population households, municipalities were cautioned by
many respondents to avoid competing with local non-profit
organizations for low-cost programs
Resources – Paying for Targeted Initiatives
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Many recreation practitioners said that their municipalities
have limited resources to develop special programs for target
populations
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A few respondents noted that it is important for municipalities
to focus any resources devoted to special initiatives
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“Cities that try too much run into trouble.”
Several recreation practitioners believe that municipalities
often have to play the lead role because community
organizations lack the resources to contribute as partners
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Advocacy organizations are getting stronger; broad-based
community organizations are getting weaker
Training
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Most municipalities have some training for staff – typically in
orientation sessions - that includes time devoted to one or more
target populations
Additional formal training, where available, usually is “short and
incomplete” or “ inconsistent”
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Positive initiatives like the High Five program are the exception
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Almost all recreation practitioners said they could use more
training in the recreation needs of target populations
Training (cont.)
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Municipalities with more successful training initiatives incorporate
a lot of practical, ongoing learning through contact with target
populations in activities led by experienced practitioners
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Most municipal recreation practitioners recognize that a lack of
knowledge is a problem and that working directly with partners is
the best way to address the problem
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Partner organizations are becoming more and more useful with
training and for knowledge transfer
Training (cont.)
Some examples of successful training:
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Mandatory training for all staff with modules for seniors,
disability and multicultural communities; developed and
implemented with the assistance of community and
volunteer groups
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Inclusion training for all staff on special needs and
disability delivered through special services coordinators
Research
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Only a few municipalities reported that they have conducted
research related to the recreation needs and programs for the
target populations
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A large municipality in central Canada conducted a survey of
recent immigrants about recreation services
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A municipality in Atlantic Canada recently conducted roundtable
sessions related to special needs and target groups looking at
needs, what is available, and gaps
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A smaller municipality in central Canada has convened a Youth
Advisory Committee that is conducting consultations in the
community about the recreation needs and interests of youth.
Municipal Strategies for Improving Recreation
Programs and Services for Target Populations
Fee assistance programs
 Most municipalities offer fee assistance for low-income
households that they believe benefits users in the target groups
 Some municipalities also offer and recommend “group access”
programs
Recreation coordinators
 Many larger municipalities hire recreation coordinators and
outreach workers to work with target populations
 They often have experience with one or more target groups and
receive practical training to prepare for the work
Municipal Strategies for Improving Recreation
Programs and Services for Target Populations (cont.)
Targeted initiatives
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Many municipalities have introduced programs as a practical
response to a perceived need among members of a target
population
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These initiatives often are undertaken in partnership with a
community group
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Some examples include a fitness program run with a local
mental health service agency and a counsellor-in-the-park
program for inner-city and immigrant youth
Older Adults – Increasing Recreation Opportunities
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More could be done to engage isolated seniors: e.g., work with
seniors residences, nursing homes, and institutions
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Many seniors are not sure what to do and they have to learn what
activities are offered and where
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Municipal recreation staff can help - “they are the best facilitators.”
Large potential interest among older adults for “knowledge-based
programs” – general interest programs and courses
Recreation practitioners working with older adults say that they
need a broad range of recreation opportunities
Older Adults – Successes
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Offering special programs that use facilities during the day
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Hiring two recreation practitioners to work exclusively with seniors
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Taking different programs to seniors in apartments and nursing
homes
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Recreational outings: e.g., half-day and day-long bus trips in the
summer; meals and social events in the winter
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Focusing a wide range of 50+ programs at a community centre
Older Adults – Lessons Learned
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Events that combine physical activity with social elements are a
good means of engaging older adults
Make good use of existing networks and facilities: “Use the existing
network: schools, gyms, community centres, legions, service clubs
… talk to clergy, school principals … Get to know the facilities,
human resources, get them talking.”
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Younger seniors want more outdoor programs: e.g., hiking,
orientation, bird watching, “learn-to” outdoor programs
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Many programs for seniors depend on volunteers; provide support
New Immigrant Families –
Increasing Recreation Opportunities
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Local solutions are the key for serving new immigrants: having a
dialogue, getting everyone in the community to be aware
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Multicultural centres and community centres are the venues used
most frequently for information about opportunities
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“We have to get immigrants to the community centres”
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Young people are the focus of most municipalities: recreation is
“hugely important” for youth
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Parents do not know about recreation; they have to be informed
about opportunities, particularly for girls
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There are gaps with arts and culture programming. Municipalities
need to offer programs in other areas than sport and physical activity.
New Immigrant Families – Successes
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An Atlantic municipality has implemented a new “immigration
strategy” to be more proactive to attract immigrants: e.g., a
women-only swim
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A service organization is running a very successful program for
immigrant youth aged 13 to 19 that includes sports, speakers,
social events and field trips
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A newcomer services organization has a successful basketball
program for young refugees operated in partnership with a
provincial basketball association
New Immigrant Families – Lessons Learned
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Recreation is essential to settlement
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Immigrant services organizations are very willing to work with
municipal parks and recreation staff
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Community centres, multicultural and newcomer centres are
very important venues, for both recreation and communications
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Target children: “Try to connect with kids as soon as possible…
Kids find out about opportunities through school.”
Some think that municipalities need to get more involved: “too
much is left to third party organizations
Communicate with parents and caregivers
Aboriginal People –
Increasing Recreation Opportunities
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Consensus that municipalities must work in partnership with
Aboriginal organizations to deliver recreation programs with
Aboriginal participants
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Reach out to Aboriginal people through community and Aboriginal
groups: “Don’t target in the conventional means”
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Fee subsidy policies and programs are important in urban areas
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Offer programs through schools so that all children have access
Aboriginal People – Successes
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A western municipality with a primary recreation focus on
Aboriginal youth has been successful training recreation
coordinators (e.g., lifeguards)
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A western municipality provides free recreation programs in
designated high need areas, some of which have a large
Aboriginal population - “There is good participation”
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A western municipality partners with the YMCA to run a
successful Tomorrow’s Leaders Program for Aboriginal youth
Aboriginal People – Lessons Learned
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It is important to consider the social circumstances of participants
and include a broad range of organizations in the support network
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Aboriginal organizations view sport and recreation as an integral
part of the Aboriginal community wellness model
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Both Aboriginal organizations and recreation practitioners
emphasized the importance of forging strong partnerships
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Aboriginal people and organizations should be in leadership
positions of recreation programs targeting Aboriginal populations
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Ensure the Aboriginal community is involved from the beginning
People with a Disability –
Increasing Recreation Opportunities
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Increasing knowledge and understanding of the needs of
people with disabilities may be the most important step to
improve access to recreation opportunities and facilities
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Most recreation practitioners reported that their municipalities
are making progress to improve accessibility and recreation
opportunities for people with disabilities
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Some municipalities have allocated funds to retrofit facilities to
make them more “inviting” and “inclusive”
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However, few recreation practitioners think that current services
and accessibility are adequate. As one said: “We are there …
but resources are spread thin.”
People with a Disability – Successes
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A western municipality has had success providing both integrated
and segregated programs: “we need both.”
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An Atlantic municipality reported positive experiences after
changing its operating philosophy to a fully integrated service
model; they now offer no segregated services
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Several municipalities offer some variation of a leisure attendant
program in which personal attendants do not pay registration or
entry fees for recreation
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A western municipality works with a mental health services agency
to operate a program at a local fitness center
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A western municipality partners with disability service organization
to offer a summer program of water sports including kayaking,
canoeing, sailing and water skiing
People with a Disability – Lessons Learned
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The biggest gaps are in high cost services: e.g. services with
high costs for special facilities or equipment, or attendant care
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There is still a huge need for programs for children with
disabilities
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The municipality that made the transition to fully integrated
services found it to be difficult for staff at first; a lot of practical,
on-the-job training was required for the transition to be
successful
People with a Disability – Lessons Learned (cont.)
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A few municipalities reported having difficulty trying to
implement arts programs, although they were not able to
provide a clear reason for their difficulties
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Municipalities and other organizations increasingly will be
challenged to find ways and funding to involve people with
disabilities in a much wider range of activities
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Municipalities must work with community organizations: “What
makes a program work? … knowing the resources in the
community.”
Girls and Young Women –
Increasing Recreation Opportunities
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Respondents emphasized the importance of keeping young
girls engaged in physical activity and recreation rather than
trying to get them to come back when they are older
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There is a need for more women leaders so that more
recreation and sport opportunities are created for girls and
young women
Girls and Young Women – Successes
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Several respondents reported that programs at community
centers have been successful with girls and young women: e.g.,
“Girls on the Move”, “Youth Girls Only Sport”, “Youth Girls Night
Out.”
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Participation has increased in a hockey program for girls started
six years ago by an Atlantic municipality because the girls are
continuing to participate as they grow older. The hockey
program for girls and young women “is doing quite well”
because the infrastructure has improved and leadership has
strengthened.
Girls and Young Women – Lessons Learned
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The lack of programming for tweens in the 9-13 age group
needs to be addressed
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Communicating with parents can help them to understand the
importance of recreation and physical activity for young girls
Improving Outreach and Communications –
Important considerations
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Use an approach that is specific to each target group. It is
important to understand the most effective marketing strategies
for each target group: e.g., “going through community leaders”
for Aboriginal people and new immigrants, “word of mouth” for
seniors
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Ensure that community-wide communications are undertaken
only for initiatives that are sustainable
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Municipalities should not compete with the private and non-profit
sectors
Improving Outreach and Communications –
Ideas that can lead to better participation
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Work with partners
 better communication with community groups
 initiate more contacts instead of reacting
 connect with leaders
 work with expert service organizations
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New resources and tools
 information to increase knowledge (disseminated through
Internet-based resources)
 training – something like the High Five program to extend
beyond children
 pilot recreation programs
Part 3 – Case Studies of Municipalities
Providing Recreation for Target Populations in Five
Canadian Municipalities
Older Adults – St. John’s
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Taking programs to seniors: physical and social activities
conducted in social and non-profit housing apartments
Popular Community Outing program
 Summer bus outings that target people without transportation
 Other social events (e.g., dinners) in other seasons
Homes, Hospitals and Agencies Committee involving 13 long-term
care facilities; facilitates seniors activities and programs
Network of volunteers (seniors) with a telephone committee to
keep everyone informed
Recreation staff includes seniors coordinators and field workers
A lot of activities conducted at a well-known community centre
Strong support from municipal council: Recreation is the only
“social” department of the city
New Immigrant Families – Hamilton
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Progress made since a Mayor’s Committee on inclusivity and
diversity in Hamilton: dialogue, policy, recreation programs
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Partnerships: initiated several programs for immigrant youth in
partnership with sport, community and settlement organizations
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City sees its role as a facilitator to assist immigrant communities
undertake activities they choose
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New communities in particular need and want “admin” support
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Community in Action Fund will allow 15 cultural groups to try
different activities
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Training: staff training just beginning, some reluctance, a slow
process; volunteers will need some training
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Need a community development approach specific to immigrant
population: needs assessment, training, resources, follow-up
Aboriginal People – Regina
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Developed a detailed Aboriginal Strategy in the last year as a
framework document
Regina has shifted its focus to look at services for target
populations from a community development perspective
There is a demand for Aboriginal-only programs
Programs delivered in partnership with agencies with Aboriginal
involvement are working
Initiatives:
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A lot of drop-in programs at recreation facilities
Dreambroker Program – new 4 year program for kids; funded by Sask
Sport; involves school boards
Community Capacity – money from province for Aborginal agencies to
deliver recreation and build a delivery network
Leadership Development conducted by an Aboriginal organization
People with a Disability – Ottawa
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No formal policy as yet – this is a goal
A Leisure Ability Model places services on a spectrum from fully
segregated to fully integrated
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Includes Therapeutic Recreation and Specialized Programs
Also includes Shared Care as a middle ground for persons with
moderate disability; Integration Services broaden opportunities
4 Portfolio Coordinators do assessment work crucial to this approach;
develop rapport with families, understand needs
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Providing support and services at all facilities is a challenge
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Hospital Community Connections Committee includes
administrators, recreation therapists and others from all hospitals;
they build new programs together
Girls and Young Women – Miramichi
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Miramichi is working on implementing the principles and objectives
of On the Move
Initiated with a consensus that this was something they had to do
Recreation Department has a Youth Programming Policy regarding
access for all youth; no formal policy for girls and young women
Partnerships
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local Boys and Girls Club: Girls on the Go, Jump Start
local schools: e.g., sports in two local school gyms, a 4-week journal
writing program at lunchtime
KidSport (administered by Sport New Brunswick)
Receiving funding this year from the Canadian Women’s
Foundation to look at outcomes
There is a lot of collaboration in the community on active living led
by the regional hospital
Common Themes
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Knowledge dissemination
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Networking
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Partnerships
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Training, learning and skills
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Resources and tools
What have we learned about people in
our neighbourhood?
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Our neighbourhoods are changing
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Our neighbours are changing
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Our neighbours – new and old - want to play
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Sometimes they play new games
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Sometimes they play the old games in different ways
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Some of them need help to play
What does it all mean?
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We have to be aware of what is going on
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We have to reach out, not sit back and wait for good things
to happen
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We have to work with others, and make the effort to ensure
that partnerships are effective
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We have to find out how best to use our resources
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We have to let others know about what works and why