Since it's founding in 1997, the CYC-Net discussion group has been asked thousands of questions. These questions often generate many replies from people in all spheres of the Child and Youth Care profession and contain personal experiences, viewpoints, as well as recommended resources.
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Questions and Responses have been reproduced verbatim.
Listen to thisHey CYCs of the world!!!
I work in a secondary program for students at-risk (of not completing
their secondary school education). As a part of the bi-weekly
social-emotional learning, I have been asked to find leadership
activities and programming for them to partake in that are student-led.
Some ideas given to me were for the students to organize and run the
nutrition program, start a recycling club, start and manage a walk-in
clothes closet for the school, etc. These are all fine ideas, but
I'm looking for something more. I feel these suggestions are
valuable to the school community, but do little to teach leadership and
how to be a good leader to OUR kids. I feel that if the program
were to initiate ONLY these types of activities for the students, it
would eventually be dropped by the students only to be picked up by the
staff, teaching the students nothing.
If anyone has any suggestions, prior experiences, or programs already
developed to assist in social-emotional learning or leadership please
contact me at
julia.evangelisto@hwdsb.on.ca
Thanks!!!
Julia Evangelisto
...
Hi,
Try running a peer education program where you teach the peers basically
how to teach their own peers on a subject. I really like using art
(music or visual, both work well with agw group). Self-esteem is
something they need at that age so maybe start a self-esteem group (feel
good group) using a variety of art mediums to express themselves. There
are many wonderful art therapy resources out there.
Hope this helps.
S. Boucher
...
Hi Julia,
Try the website:
www.nasponline.org
This is a great website to assist you with helping the youths develop
social emotional learning.
Good luck,
Brigitte LeBlanc
Victoria, BC
...
Check out this initiative
http://www.challengeday.org/videos.php
Also look at the "Youthbuild" website and also if you want any
"community youth mapping initiatives". You can both google this topic
and look for examples on Youtube.
Another idea is to train them as "peacebuilders" and as circle
facilitators.
Rick Kelly
Toronto
...
Julia
You really need something that only students can do for other students.
Say crisis line or Dear Abby type things. How about a group that goes to
the younger schools and talks about things important to them. Or where
to go for help? Create books that help homeless teens get a place to
live and help with issues. Something like a 911 from teens to teens.
Donna Wilson
...
I would suggest creating a vehicle whereby you
survey (ask the youth in writing or by visiting their
classrooms,inviting them to focus groups...make it fun and make sure you
have FOOD available) the youth themselves and find out what is important
to them and where/what they themselves identify as "a need."
For example, do a needs assessment that includes and highlights what's
currently working,reflects what service they think is lacking and what
they think could work etc.
I helped coordinate the development of a prevention and education
program for at risk, transient and street identified youth but the
success of the program was the direct result of going to the youth
(target population) and getting and USING their input, on an ongoing
basis and involving them in every aspect of the project. It
created skill development for the youth, accountability, responsibility,
ownership for the success and an amazing program that eventually was
fully funded and became a permanent part of the centre's programming.
Please ensure you are engaging a diverse student base, that reflects the
student population and is balance between those who are really motivated
with a high self-esteem and those who need encouragement to recognize
their strengths etc. Also experienced facilitators really help the
process and give everyone an opportunity to share or provide input and
feedback and help thing continue to flow. The youth may need more
direction in the beginning of the process to establish group guidelines
etc. but really should be able to lead the process eventually with less
and less involvement of adults. The adults become mentors and offer
suggestions etc. as the process evolves.
Youth are creative, intelligent and when given just enough support,
guidance and freedom...can create amazing things...all the very best.
Brenda MacGillivray
...
Hi Julia
I also work as part of an interdisciplinary team in a secondary school
set in an urban community. Working with students in crisis who are
also at risk of not completing school because of social/financial or
mental health issues has prompted us to explore alternative learning
environments that not only promote student engagement, provide access to
crisis intervention as necessary but to also help students toward credit
accumulation. As Child Youth Care Workers we have worked well with
other disciplines in wrap around services for our clients, why not work
with teachers to provide the socio-emotional support that adolescents
need but also have them earning secondary school credits. Win-win
situation! I am aware of promotions that combine therapeutic
activities with course codes that allow teachers to provide necessary
credits. Some more successful than others. I believe this is definitely
a valuable role for CYW's in the education system.
Sherry Migliacci
