Youth Initiatives
Pink Shirt Day 2022
The City, Richmond School District and Richmond Public Library recognized Pink Shirt Day on February 23, 2022 to raise awareness about the issue of bullying. Through collaboration, education and celebration, the City and its partners created opportunities for citizens to feel safe, connected and empowered with everyone encouraged to wear pink to symbolize their intolerance of bullying.
Pink Shirt Day originated when two Nova Scotia Secondary students gave pink shirts to people in their school to wear in protest, after discovering a younger student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt and has now evolved into an international anti-bullying movement.
Resources to support positive mental wellness and respond to bullying or other challenges can be found at ERASE bullying.
2018 ERASE Bullying video
2017 ERASE Bullying video
Positive Ticket (POSI tickets)
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 facility of your choice.
Below are activities and places to redeem a Positive Ticket:
Cambie Community Centre
- Fitness Centre drop-in*
- Youth Open Gym
- Other drop-in sessions that include volleyball, Nightshift basketball and time in the Games Room
City Centre Community Centre
Hamilton Community Centre
Thompson Community Centre
- Fitness Centre drop-in*
- Youth Open Gym
- Preteens Open Gym
- Preteen Hangout
South Arm Community Centre
- Fitness Centre drop-in*
- Youth Open Gym
- Preteens Open Gym
- Games Room
Steveston Community Centre
West Richmond Community Centre
Arena Services
Aquatic Services
Pitch and Putt
Richmond Olympic Oval
- Admission to the Olympic Experience at Richmond Olympic Oval
Informed Consent and Permission Form for Youth Fitness Centre Access
Contact the City of Richmond Program Lead, Youth at 604-276-4110 for more information.
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 richmond.ca/medialab 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 foundrybc.ca for more information.