Esther Nicholson –Youth Advisor for the Youth Engagement Working Group (YEwG) Selina Buesink – Adult Ally for the Youth Engagement Working Group (YEwG)
The 2016 year in review and a discussion about the 2017 year
We used a Youth Engagement model We incorporated Family Engagement practices We had staff who were eager to implement We had youth who were eager to lead. We also promoted hiking at a variety of community events and held experiential hiking opportunities.
Youth engagement produces many benefits on organizational levels through, for example, ensuring better decision- making by having youths’ ideas and needs represented. As such, Lynwood Charlton Centre endeavors to make all possible efforts to ensure meaningful youth involvement within the organization.
As part of the Centre’s commitment, a Youth Engagement Working Group (YEwG) was developed in 2009. Both Lynwood Charlton staff members (adult allies) and youth advisors are a part of the group’s membership. Two Staff: Selina Buesink and Matt Kozma Two Youth Advisors: Esther Nicholson and Ethan Murray-Leung. As well as 10-20 youth members
“Youth Advocating for Youth” YEwG consists of youth from across the City of Hamilton between the ages of 13-25, combined with a couple adult allys. YEwG members identify that the advantages to having both youth and adults as decision makers is that each brings forth qualities that improve decision –making outcomes. The YEwG host events, attend forums, host workshops, develop agency policies, and look at community initiatives and see where they can help. #stompoutstigma #youthadvocatingforyouth #mentalhealth #payitforward
Every year, YEwG opens up the applications and allows any interested youth to check out the program and see if there are any aspects of the YEwG that interests them. Every year, the YEwG work to implement a variety of programs, initiatives, plans, and events that can appeal to a variety of people. That way youth have choice in how they want to engage, and where they want to invest their time.
Youth are eligible to receive volunteer hours for any time 1. spent at meetings, events, or time spent doing YEwG related activities Youth can meet other people who have similar interests. 2. This can go on their resume 3. This opportunity can also lead to greater awareness of 4. mental health and help break down stigma barriers.
Matt and Selina were trained to be hike leaders. The YEwG were then trained immediately after the training.
Youth mapped out a different hike every other week. The map had to be labeled, parking had to be identified (or bus route if applicable), and was posted to a private facebook page. Youth assisted in the pre-post measures and rolled up the data at the end of the program in November. We never repeated a trail.
Youth were welcome to invite family and/or friends on a hike. Families would join on the moodwalk and participate in the surveys as well. We noticed a strong link between family engagement and youth engagement. Youth were leaders, whilst family engagement strengthened.
Youth participated in the social media updates and assisted in promoting the Moodwalk program. Facebook.com/yewghamilton Twitter @YEWG_Hamilton And of course on their own social media platforms.
Mood Walk Data Summary The average happiness increased by 16.87% across all Mood Walks. The average anxiety decreased by a total of 58.51% across all Mood Walks. The average energy level went up by 23.53% across all Mood Walks.
YEwG will team up with one of our Residential programs to help with the Mental Health walkathon around the Bayfront. This will occur as an event during Children’s Mental Health week.
The Data proves it. But we knew it all along. We can genuinely tell our friends and family…
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