Our membership has a strong commitment to the inclusion of children and youth in the co-op. To ensure that quality programs are delivered to the highest possible standard, we employ a part-time child and youth co-ordinator and councillors to run these programs. Respecting our childrens' individuality requires us to develop programs that cover a wide range of activities, including: arts & crafts, drama & music appreciation, literature, sports & athletics, computers, science and cooking. Our programs have enhanced individual members' lives and our co-op community in general. In recognition of our commitment to youth, CHFT has presented us with their Contribution to Youth Award.

International Youth Day
August 12th - International Youth Day - was designated by the United Nations in 2000, meant as an opportunity for governments and communities to draw attention to worldwide youth issues. Past themes have included "Addressing Health and Unemployment," "Tackling Poverty Together," and "Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action." This year's theme - "SUSTAINABILITY: OUR CHALLENGE. OUR FUTURE" was particularly suited to Bleecker's mandate. Bleecker has long supported and encouraged youth participation in its own structure as well as youth action outside the co-operative's walls. As you know, the cooperative regularly promotes both environmental and social sustainability through its programming.

Youth Day serves to promote youth empowerment which is about giving youth the tools to question their surroundings and the status quo and to decide how they want to affect change. This year's celebration proved a great opportunity to show youth how to take matters into their own hands, and have fun while they're changing the world!

We are greatly indebted to the following organizations for coming out and making their important programs known to the community's youth. Please take some time to visit their website for more information on how to benefit from their programs or to learn how to get involved:

AIDS Committee of Toronto www.actoronto.org	Global Aware www.globalaware.org
Journalists for Human Rights www.jhr.ca	Toronto Environmental Alliance www.torontoenvironment.org/Youth
Youth Voices www.youthvoices.ca	Planned Parenthood & Teens Education www.ppt.on.ca
Evergreen www.evegreen.ca	The 519 Community Centre www.the519.org
White Ribbon Campaign www.whiteribbon.com	Justice for Youth www.jfcy.com

Youth Video Project

During the winter months Bleecker Street Co-op paired with the Images Film Festival to offer a unique video making workshop under the direction of video artists Leslie Peters and Dara Gellman.

Participants were encouraged make a self-portrait video, about themselves and their lives through their own eyes - a video exploration of the places, spaces, images, ideas, voices, words, actions, colours, textures and sounds and that fill their worlds.

Congratulations to Dorion Johnson, Shaquille Baptiste, Tabitha Olson, Alfonso Batallaa and Keisha St. Louis McBurnie for their outstanding work. Their videos can be seen at
http://www.imagesfestival.com/2009

Bleecker Street Co-op would like to thank Leslie Peters, Dara Gellman, the Images Film Festival and Trinity Square Video for making this project possible.

CHFT DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM
The scholarship recognizes youth who are determined to succeed at the post-secondary level or in a skilled trade and who did not have the opportunity to finish high school due to family, financial or other circumstances.

Nadia Brooks	Alicia Sayles

Jamal Baptiste 2008	Christina de la Cruz 2008
Elizabeth de Vries 2006	Angelica Batalla 2007	Joseph Saavedra 2007