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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Catherine R. Gryba, BSPE, Community Services, City of Saskatoon, 222 3rd Ave N, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0J5, Canada, (306) 975-3146, catherine.gryba@saskatoon.ca and Karen E. Chad, PhD, College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, 87 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada.

White Buffalo Youth Lodge (WBYL) provides participants with the capacity to make healthy life choices and be leaders in the community, through the collaboration of government and community. It is supported by a partnership of local health authority, local municipality and community organizations representing the intended minority population. The WBYL was developed considering existing services and community resources and adapting new service styles to provide a welcoming, culturally sensitive atmosphere to address identified issues at a neighborhood level. It is a multi-stakeholder primary health model aimed at children, youth and families of a minority population in the inner core of a city. The WBYL improves health through access to a multi-discipline and dynamic team (e.g., full time primary health nurse/nurse practitioner, dental therapist, elders, teachers etc.) who provide health education, assessment and treatment (e.g. nutrition, sexual health, pregnancy, addictions, mental health, injuries, medical conditions etc.). Free access to programs in recreation, education, healthy lifestyles, culture, social, arts, and justice, along with spiritual services are also provided. The centre has become a mainstay with 25,000 visits from community members in a single year. A majority of the WBYL participants are 13 and older (70%) and are male (75%). Research shows that WBYL is a safe place providing much needed access to services which have a positive impact on individuals' holistic health. Also documented are the challenges faced by the partners, and benefits gained when partners' invest in the health and well being of the community.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify the benefits, opportunities, challenges and solutions of a government community partnership addressing the needs of an inner city community with a high minority population.
• Articulate the development, implementation and sustainability of a comprehensive neighborhood centre.

Keywords: Partnerships, Adolescent Health

Related Web page: www.whitebuffalolodge.ca

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered