The Codiac Region is introducing the one-time Youth and Family Connectivity Program, funded through Public Safety Canada's Building Safer Communities Fund. This funding aims to support youth and family well-being in the region. Consultations and community feedback identified inadequate transit access as a significant barrier to improving well-being and reducing risk factors.

The primary objective of the Youth and Family Connectivity Program is to improve access to essential services, education, employment, and recreational opportunities for youth and families in the Codiac Region. 

The program aims to address challenges such as housing instability, substance use, school disengagement, and family disconnection by providing single ride transit passes. Enhanced mobility will help reduce isolation, foster social inclusion, and support community integration.

The Youth and Family Connectivity Program specifically targets how improved transit access can support and enhance youth and family well-being, by reducing the following risk factors:

Individual Factors for Youth

• Housing instability
• Substance use and unmet mental health needs
• School disengagement and antisocial behaviour
• Violent victimization
• Experiences of racism and discrimination
• Lack of positive adult role models

Family and Economic Factors

• Family conflict and disconnection
• Parental substance use
• Economic exclusion and deprivation
• Family criminality or vulnerability to criminal exploitation
• Lack of adult and parental role models

The Youth and Family Connectivity Program is open to all non-profit organizations, charitable organizations, and community associations within the Codiac Region that serve youth and families. The focus is on organizations that can effectively use transit passes to address the identified challenges and improve the well-being of their participants.

• Single ride transit passes are available to eligible organizations.
• Organizations can request unlimited passes based on their needs.
• Requested passes must be effectively utilized by Sept. 1, 2025.
   

Interested organizations are invited to apply by completing the attached form. The application process includes the following steps:

1. Organizational Information
   • Provide the name of the organization, contact person, and contact details.
   • Specify the type of organization (non-profit, charitable, community association).
2. Request Details
   • Indicate the number of single ride transit passes requested.
   • Estimate the number of youth and families served by your organization monthly.
   • Briefly describe how the transit passes will benefit youth and families and address specific risk factors.
3. Impact Statement
   • Explain how the transit passes will improve youth and families' access to services, education, and employment.
   • Outline the expected outcomes and benefits for the participants.
4. Agreement to Reporting
   • Confirm that the organization agrees to complete a short survey at the end of the reporting period to provide feedback on the passes' benefits and impact.

For assistance or questions regarding the application process, please contact Community Development Officer Jaime MacLellan at jaime.maclellan [at] moncton.ca. 

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis based on the following criteria:

• Impact: Potential positive impact on youth and families’ access to services, education, and employment.

• Feasibility: The ability of the organization to effectively distribute and utilize the passes.

• Alignment: How well the proposed use of passes address the specified risk factors.

• Priority will be given to organizations supporting youth and families closely aligned with the specified factors listed above until Oct. 21, 2024.
• If passes are still available after Oct. 21, 2024, applications from organizations that serve families and youth but do not closely align with the specified factors will be considered case-by-case. There may be a delay in hearing back for these applicants. Please be encouraged to apply nonetheless.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a brief survey at the end of the period to assess the improvement in participants' access to services and the organization's capacity to serve youth and families.