PVNC Catholic hosts community leaders at Holy Cross CSS to launch next phase of Planet Youth Nogojiwanong Initiative
Apr. 2, 2026
On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the library of Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School served as the backdrop for a major community milestone.
The Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board was honored to host student leaders, community partners, and government officials for the launch of the next phase of the Peterborough Youth Substance Use Prevention (PYSUP) initiative.
As a partner in this project, PVNC Catholic is working alongside more than 16 organizations to implement the Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM). This evidence-based approach focuses on increasing a student’s sense of belonging and connection to their community to proactively reduce the risk of substance use harm.
A highlight of the event was the unveiling of a vibrant community art installation co-created with local youth. The project was a point of pride for our school board, as two PVNC Catholic students led the unveiling of the piece, which visualizes data gathered from young people across the region.
“As a youth myself I can definitely say there are some ways adults can support Peterborough’s youth such as including more affordable spaces and activities for teens to give them safe productive ways to express themselves,” said Jasmine Parent, Grade 11 student at Holy Cross CSS.
The announcement marked the beginning of a critical data collection phase. In Spring 2026, students at Holy Cross and two other local secondary schools will participate in a survey covering health, well-being, and social behaviors.
This data will be used to create local action plans that are:
- Grounded in Science: Using the proven IPM framework to improve future life outcomes.
- Culturally Responsive: Utilizing a Two-Eyed Seeing approach that braids Indigenous worldviews with western methodologies.
- Youth-Centered: Guided by a new Youth Planning Table to ensure student voices remain at the heart of the work.
The event saw a high level of support from all levels of government and health leadership. Peterborough MP Emma Harrison praised the initiative’s focus on “reconnecting young people to their communities and to nature”.
Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health for Lakelands Public Health, noted that the nearly $1 million in total funding secured from the Public Health Agency of Canada is vital for bringing this “nature-focused and Indigenous-grounded approach” to the Nogojiwanong region.
PVNC Catholic is proud to stand with our partners—including the City and County of Peterborough, Lakelands Public Health and the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board—to support the health and success of the next generation.
To learn more about the project, visit www.pysup.ca.