Peel Region at a Glance Melissa Toney Supervisor

Peel Region at a Glance Melissa Toney Supervisor, Human Services, Region of Peel October 16, 2013 Making Connections: Collectively supporting marginalized and racialized Peel youth to succeed

Why Racialized and Marginalized Youth? • Peel youth overall do well compared to Ontario youth • Not the case for some marginalized and racialized youth in Peel • Need for targeted investments

Peel Region > 1. 3 Million (2011) > 1. 5 Million (2031 projected)

In Peel, Children and Youth to age 24 equal 34 % of the overall population (close to 460, 000) (Statistics Canada, 2011 Census)

Peel’s Young Population Children & Youth (0 -24) Percentage of total population 2011 Projected 2041 In Peel 34% 31% (459, 970) (618, 230) 23. 8% 26% (649, 540) (894, 160) In Toronto

General Concerns • In 2010, 30 % of children in Peel not developmentally ready to enter school • In 2011, 32% of students grades 7 to 12 overweight or obese • Many youth engage in risky behaviours • In 2011, – 45 % of females and 25 % of males surveyed reported feeling stressed “always” or “often”; and – 23. 6% of females and 12. 5% of males reported feeling unhappy or depressed “always” or “often” (Peel Public Health “Growing up in Peel”, 2013)

General Concerns • Peel has more low-income families compared to Ontario • Recent immigrants have lower income and higher unemployment rates than non-immigrants • Peel has pockets of risk for youth and their families: – – – – high poverty, high density, settlement issues, crime, housing issues, challenges associated with racial identity, and challenges with employment and educational attainment.

Voices of Peel Youth