wak youth program - smiths falls · 2020-01-03 · it’s a great reason to go outside.” youth,...
TRANSCRIPT
WAK (we are kids) Youth Program
WAK (we are kids) Youth Program
History
There was a gap in service for the youth of Smiths Falls
during the Summer of 2017 when SFDCY closed its
doors
•A partnership was created between BBBSLC, Town of
Smiths Falls and YAK Youth Services to address the gap
•Program started October 2, 2017
•Program runs 4 days a week during critical hours
•Community Partnership is important asset in providing a
wide range of programs
Program is an inclusive, welcoming and safe place
for ALL Youth
• Wide range of programs offered, with a focus on: Physical
Activity, a Healthy Snack and Positive Mental Health
WAK (we are kids) Youth Program
• Total Registered = 107
• Individual Youth Served = 236 (2017-2019)
WAK (we are kids) Youth Program
18
14
11
19
21
7
12
5
1
Ages
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
715
6
23
2
Locations
Smiths Falls
Jasper
Lombardy
Montague
Portland
40
167
108
Individual Youth Served
2017
2018
2019
327
1807
108
Total Visits
2017
2018
2019
Funders and PartnersWho Role
County of Lanark Funder
Ministry Tourism Culture & Sport Funder
Town of Smiths Falls Funder
Host Partner
Rotary Club of Smiths Falls Funder
OnTrac Employment Services Service Provider
Lanark County Community Justice Service Provider
The Smiths Falls Library Program Partner
Trinity United Church Program Partner
Upper Canada District School Board Program Partner
Smiths Falls Police Service Service Provider
The Table Community Food Centre Program Provider
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit Service Provider
Rideau Community Health Services Service Provider
Francine Desjardins and Debbie Lytle
Indigenous Teachings
Service Provider
YAK Youth Services Program Partner
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County Administrative and Program Lead
Program Highlights
Teens in the Kitchen!
•Run during school year in
partnership with The Table
Community Food Centre
•Biweekly sessions, Tuesdays
•Youth learn about food, how to
follow recipes, how to prepare food,
cooking and clean up
•Started fall of 2019
•Program is run out of Fellowship Hall
every Wednesday
•Program will collaborate with others to
design and paint Fellowship Hall
•Once a month, ‘teens in the kitchen’
prepares and serves community supper
at Trinity.
Community Engagement
Youth participated in the 2nd annual Smiths
Falls Pride parade and ran a booth at
Centennial Park, where community members
could create their own kindness stones. It was
a big hit!
Community Engagement
Youth busy preparing a
community supper at Trinity
United Church.
Participating in
Community Pitch in Days.
Cleaned up play areas
and around arena
ART
Field Trips
Mont Cascades
Obama at The
Canadian Tire
Centre
Field Trips
And MUCH more!
Flying Squirrel
Putting Edge
Pictures of Program
Canoeing with
Parks Canada
Mobile Paddle
Team
7 Sacred
Teachings
Road Hockey with
Smiths Falls Settlers
Pictures of Program
Urban Jungle
Obstacle and
Fitness Challenge
Impact Story
Urban Jungle
Obstacle and
Fitness Challenge
Learning how to make
t-shirts with Howling
Designs
“WAK Youth Program brings the youth of our community together to create conversation, connection and a safe place for young people to grow. The staff have developed a positive relationship with the community AND the youth to provide top notch supports and connections for youth to engage in the community in both a way which positively affect the youths development and community intergration.”Elle HalladayYouth Housing Case Manager, Cornerstone Landing and WAK volunteer.
“Now I have a safe place to go and do fun things.” Youth, 12 yr
“I like WAK because I get to meet new people and get lots of opportunities.” Youth, 12 yr
“I appreciate having a safe space to be with my friends. The youth workers are very kind and helpful.” Youth, 15 yr
“If it wasn’t for WAK I wouldn’t have some of my closes friends, because I met them at WAK.” Youth, 14 yr
“So, I have had some issues with my brothers and coming to WAK made me a better person. I am now volunteering at Trinity United Church’s community supper. Thank you so so much WAK.” Youth, 14 yr
Impact Story
Urban Jungle
Obstacle and
Fitness Challenge
“WAK has had an impact on me because it has helped me open up and be my best self!” Youth, 13 yr
“I like all the activities that we do and that you (program) make all our (youth) wishes come true! Thank you.” Youth, 11 yr
“I appreciated that WAK participated in PRIDE related events.” Youth, 15 yr
“Having a lot of friends and the fun activities.” Youth, 14 yr
“A safe place, I feel like I can be myself
all the time, I’ve made friends here that I’m more then
happy to see everyday.”
Youth
“I enjoy seeing people I’d rarely see otherwise and all the activities are lovely for finding new hobbies. It’s a great reason to go outside.” Youth, 15yr
“Thanks for taking such good care of ‘Bob’ in 2019. Your program is great, but the staff are better!”*name has been changed
|Parent.
“My son, now 14, has made amazing friends over the last couple years. He has been taught many new skills. Most of all, he comes home tired and smiling.”Parent
Impact Story
Urban Jungle
Obstacle and
Fitness Challenge
On behalf of the Smiths Falls Pride Committee and if I dare speak for the wider LGBTQ2+ community, I'd like to send a warm thank you to the WAK program and the youth who participated for each of the Smiths Falls Pride celebrations. We are so proud of how the people of Smiths Falls have embraced and supported Smiths Falls Pride and how everyone has done their part to help build an inclusive and welcoming community for all people.
It's incredibly important that youth represent and participate in these types of events not only for the benefit of the youth themselves, in learning about community building and advocacy and inclusiveness, but it's also incredibly important that people of all walks of life and ages and backgrounds etc. all come celebrate and push forward socially together. Thank you for recognizing this as an agency and for making Pride a priority with your participation, even on a day when program doesn't usually run.
The kindness stones that the youth created are very special. What a lovely idea - to spread kindness to strangers and to offer an opportunity to 'discover' these stones carefully hand-painted with saying of inspiration as they walk through their lives. Making them specifically with LGBTQ2+ affirmations for SF PRIDE was also a very welcomed and appreciated detail. People took selfies with them and shared them with their friends. How easy it is to delight people when you take a moment to create something with good intentions and love.
So thank you again for doing this. For bringing youth, and teaching them about LGBTQ2+ issues and also for spreading joy while doing it.
With much appreciation,Heather WhitingCo-chair, Smiths Falls Pride
Impact Story
Urban Jungle
Obstacle and
Fitness Challenge
Trinity United Church was pleased to enter a partnership with Big Brothers / Big Sisters // WAK in the Autumn of this year. The arrangement is such that Trinity provides infrastructure and makes her efforts and programming with respect to shared Social Justice priorities available for Youth participation. These Social Justice priorities include -•Environmental Stewardship•Indigenous Reconciliation / Right Relations•LGBTQ+ Justice and Inclusion•Gender Equity•Community Service (Community Suppers, Food Security, Poverty Advocacy)
This is part of our hope to foster intergenerational collaboration in shared efforts to create a just, safe and inclusive society.
Part of our partnership includes Youth participation in one Tuesday community supper per month. “Teens in the Kitchen” has expanded their food preparation and education program to include the preparation and serving of a community supper for 40 - 60 participants.
In addition to providing a much needed community service, Big Brothers / Big Sisters // WAK has significantly elevated the excitement and satisfaction experienced by Trinity volunteers. This elevated excitement has led to renewed visioning with respect to expanding our supper and service programs.
Trinity has a view of the future in which we are engaged with the community to provide a safe space for youth and the marginalized. Our hope is ambitious but does not exceed our will or capacity to collaborate. The early and energizing effect of our partnership with Big Brothers / Big Sisters // WAK has exceeded all expectations and we hope will help propel us forward.Minister Christopher Ryan, Trinity United Church
WAK (we are kids) Youth Program
Thank you for allowing me this opportunity
to talk to you about WAK Youth Program
Questions?
For more information, please contact
Bridget Manahan, Manager of Youth Services
613-284-2490
Facebook: WAK Youth Program
Instagram: WAK Youth Program