Youth Initiatives

Pink Shirt Day
Positive Ticket Program
Richmond Youth Media Program (RYMP)
The Foundry Richmond
U-ROC Awards
Youth Civic Engagement Program
Youth Week
Program Information and Registration

Pink Shirt Day

Pink Shirt Day originated in 2007 when two Secondary students from Nova Scotia gave pink shirts to their classmates to wear in protest, after discovering that another student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. This has now evolved into an international anti-bullying movement.

The City, Richmond School District and Richmond Public Library recognize Pink Shirt Day on an annual basis on the last Wednesday of every February. 

Pink Shirt Day will be recognized on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Information regarding activities and celebrations will be posted soon.

Positive Ticket Program

The Positive Ticket Program originated in Richmond in 2001 and was adopted widely across the police system in North America. The program provides Richmond RCMP officers and other community service providers with positive "tickets" that are issued to young people up to 18 years. The tickets are given out to recognize good behaviour, reward good deeds or simply to connect and build relationships. Each ticket can be redeemed for one free drop-in session at a participating community centre and facility of the recipient’s choice. 

Positive Tickets can be redeemed at the following locations:

• Cambie Community Centre
• City Centre Community Centre
• Hamilton Community Centre
• South Arm Community Centre
• Steveston Community Centre
• West Richmond Community Centre
• Arena Services
• Aquatics
• Pitch and Putt Golf
• Richmond Olympic Oval

*Fitness Centre orientations are mandatory for youth aged 13 to 15 years. Youth 13 to 17 years must demonstrate appropriate maturity level and must submit completed Parental Consent Form and PAR-Q Form prior to fitness centre access.
 Informed Consent and Permission Form Youth
 PAR-Q+ Fillable Form 2023

Richmond Youth Media Program (RYMP)
The Richmond Youth Media Program (RYMP) is a free program for youth (13–24 years). Participants learn media literacy skills that are relevant to their interest and will be placed in a supportive environment where they can engage with positive role models. Programming includes drop-in sessions (during which supervised youth can work independently) and a variety of structured sessions.

Visit Media Lab for more information.

The Foundry Richmond
Foundry Richmond aims to provide a welcoming, inclusive and accessible space for young people (12-24 years) and their families to find support for their wellness needs. Foundry centres provide a one-stop shop for young people to access mental health care, substance use services, primary care, social services and youth and family peer supports. The Foundry makes it easy for young people to find youth-friendly, welcoming and appropriate services – by simply walking into their local Foundry centre, accessing Foundry’s virtual services or by exploring the tools and resources online. The City of Richmond continues to support the Richmond Foundry Project as a stakeholder and partner. Visit  Foundry BC for more information.

U-ROC Awards
During BC Youth Week (May 1-7), the City of Richmond hosts the U-ROC (Richmond Outstanding Community) Awards to celebrate the achievements and dedication of youth and caring adults within the Richmond community. Community members can nominate youth and caring adults for two categories: Outstanding Youth and Adult Asset Champions.

Outstanding Youth
Youth in this category are nominated for displaying exceptional qualities, making Richmond a better place and overcoming barriers towards their personal success. 

Asset Champions
Adults in this category are nominated for showing dedication and commitment to supporting youth to build Developmental Assets. These adults go out of their way to inspire, mentor and make a difference in the lives of youth. 

The U-ROC Awards utilize the 40 Developmental Assets framework for working with youth by recognizing outstanding young people who have developed assets and adults who contribute to the positive development of youth. 

U-ROC Award nominees receive recognition for a variety of important reasons, some of these include: youth who have made significant contributions through volunteering, young people who have overcome significant barriers toward their personal success and adults who have gone the extra mile to support and mentor young people in Richmond.

Nominations for the annual U-ROC Awards are now closed. See below for a list of award recipients. Nominations for 2023 will open soon. Please check back for additional details in early 2023.

Questions? Contact Youth Services.

 2022 U-ROC Award Recipients

Youth Civic Engagement Program

The Youth Civic Engagement Program is a free eight-week consecutive, education-to-action program which provides youth (15–20 years) with the opportunity to learn the decision-making process of local government. Youth will get the opportunity to co-design projects of interest and present to a mock Council.

The in-person Youth Civic Engagement Program is Jan 19 to Mar 8, 2023 (every Thursday with the last class on Wednesday) from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Richmond City Hall (6911 No. 3 Road). 

Registration is first come, first serve with 20 spots available. Register online or call 604-276-4300, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm (Event ID #199313). The deadline to register is Thu, Jan 12, 2023.

More information:  Youth Civic Engagement Program

Questions? Contact YouthServices@richmond.ca.

Youth Week 
Youth Week is an annual provincial celebration that is held the first week of May with the aim of highlighting the strong connection between youth and their communities.

Check back in spring for 2023 activities.

Program Information and Registration
Visit www.richmond.ca/register to browse and register online for scheduled programs currently being offered City-wide.

Contact: Joyce Dieudonne, Program Lead, Youth, Community Social Development
Email: Joyce.Dieudonne@richmond.ca
Phone: 604-276-4110

Follow us  @cityofrichmondyouth