Local youths gathered at Lakehead University last night, rallying around the call to make a difference in the community.
It was the first official information night for the Rainbow Initiative, a group that is focused on connecting youth to generate ideas to make positive changes in the community.
Alida Tomasini, the founder of the Rainbow Initiative, says Orillia is currently primarily led by adults.
"We want kids to have a voice in the decision-making processes," they said. "We want there to be a place where kids can come to pitch their idea and then have assistance with making that idea come to life."
Tomasini, 13, says youth can provide an important perspective that isn't always acknowledged by adults.
"It's important that we have people from all different backgrounds and perspectives involved in the conversations happening in our community," they said. "It helps give the people who can't stand up for themselves a voice."
Tomasini, a Regent Park Public School student, is hoping the Rainbow Initiative can tackle some local accessibility issues.
"I would love to see our skateboard park become more accessible for beginners," they said. "I'd also love to have more community barbecues where people could come and take whatever they need."
Today's youth are more educated about issues surrounding the environment than ever before, Tomasini says.
"Youth have more ideas about the changes we could make regarding the environment," they said. "We could plant trees and start some petitions to make things more eco-friendly."
Tomasini says the future of our planet relies on youth, which is why the Rainbow Initiative is so important.
"I think a lot about the future," they said. "It scares me to think that some kids only care about things like video games. I think the Rainbow Initiative will make kids care more about the gaps in our community."
Evie Johnstone, 10, was one of the first youth to attend the information session on Wednesday night.
"I came here because I think it's a really good idea to get kids to help in the community," they said. "That doesn't happen a lot, it's usually the adults who do all the work."
Johnstone, a Lions Oval Public School Student, says youth have an important perspective that needs to be heard.
"We notice things that adults sometimes miss," they said. "They are things that can make a difference in the community."
A big local concern for Johnstone is the environment.
"I've noticed that there is some littering that happens," they said. "I want to get an eco-team together that can go out and clean up some of the garbage around town."
If kids took the lead on an environmental initiative such as an eco-team, Johnstone believes it could set a good example for adults which could result in less littering.
Sophia Lockie, 13, also attended the information session on Wednesday evening.
"I think this is a really good project to help out with," she said. "Kids don't usually get much of an opportunity to have their outlook being shared with the community and I think it's really important to change that."
Lockie, a Regent Park Public School student, said she wanted to attend to support like-minded youth.
"I just want there to be a place where kids can go to make a change in the community," she said. "That's all that matters."
Over the last few weeks, Rainbow Initiative volunteers were at the Orillia Farmers' Market where they collected ideas from like-minded youth and donations. They raised around $400.
For those who would like to donate, the Rainbow Initiative is accepting donations at Jack and Maddy's, Manticore Books, and Pocket Skate & Vintage in downtown Orillia.
Following Wednesday's information session, the Rainbow Initiative will select some of their top brainstormed ideas. Members of the group will be assigned a mentor from the community who will help them pitch their ideas to a panel of judges in the spring. The kids with the best ideas will then be awarded donation money to help make their ideas come to fruition.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor or judge, you can reach out to the Rainbow initiative by emailing [email protected]
