Spotlight on Community Partners
Agencies Focused on Child & Youth Care
Tags: December 2021, Vol. 2, Issue 2
Our community partners have been exceptional as we continuously navigate to changing COVID-19 circumstances. The WIL Centre would like to acknowledge the support and hard work of our Child and Youth Care (CYC) partners, who have supported students by connecting with them directly or by booking sessions from the CYC Virtual Hangout.
Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has partnered with various programs in the Faculty of Social and Community Services (FSCS) for many years, facilitating the professional growth and development of students by offering Work-Integrated Learning opportunities in classroom and office settings. During times of change, Child and Youth Counsellors at the TDSB have been able to continue supporting Humber students in the Child and Youth Care programs by booking CYC Virtual Hangout sessions throughout the Fall 2021 semester.
The CYC Virtual Hangouts engaged students in the TDSB through a range of workshop topics such as Transitioning from High School to Post-Secondary, Child/Youth Rights – Self Advocacy, and Employment Searching.
The TDSB also partners with the Social Service Worker (SSW) and Developmental Services Worker (DSW) diploma programs.
Rexdale Community Health Centre
The Rexdale Community Health Centre (RCHC) is a multi-service organization that offers free quality health care, community support, and activities for women, children, families, youth, adults, and seniors, from diverse cultural groups. CYC students have been able to support many of the programs offered by the Youth Team including Steps to Excellence Program (STEP+), Youth Development Programs, Youth Outreach Worker (YOW) Program, Children’s Program, and the REXPride Program. CYC students have been able to support the following projects: program and event planning, youth outreach, engaging in weekly wellness check-in calls, attending, and participating in team meetings, providing tutoring support either one-to-one or in small groups, co-facilitating workshops, program registration, youth mentorship, helping to maintain social media account, and creating promotional material.
RCHC’s Youth Team also supported the CYC Virtual Hangout this past summer by inviting students to facilitate workshops within the different programs which they found was an incredibly beneficial opportunity for both students and their organization.
RCHS also partners with the Addictions and Mental Health (ADMH) program.
Kids with Incarcerated Parents
Kids with Incarcerated Parents Canada (KIP Canada) provides tailored support and programming for children, youth, and families who have experienced familial involvement in the justice system. KIP Canada is dedicated to providing services that foster self-esteem, security, and the development of resilience for children and youth and to empower them to rise above adversity.
KIP Canada has continued to provide students within the CYC Diploma program meaningful, and supportive opportunities to apply their skills and fulfill goals. The KIP Canada team has been working closely with students to develop and facilitate programs to support community members and enables students with the tools to raise awareness regarding the effects of familial incarceration through outreach initiatives.
KIP also partners with the Addictions and Mental Health (ADMH), Community & Justice Services and Bachelor of Social Science, Criminal Justice degree programs.