The conference ended with one final session on Friday afternoon. I chose to attend the session on the Ontario Public Health Association Youth Engagement Project, led by Jennifer Lodge of the Ontario Public Health Association. This session also featured two colleagues of mine at the Sudbury & District Health Unit: Gisele Bourgoin and Nathalie Thistle, Public Health Nurses with the school health promotion program. Gisele and Nathalie lead a youth engagement project at a local elementary school for a group of students from grades four to eight. Also presenting at this session were two students from the group who came to share what they do in this after school program.
Jennifer introduced the concept of the Youth Engagement Project to us and explained how it is a community based empowerment approach to building resiliency in youth. After giving us a bit of background on the history of the Youth Engagement Project, where the funding came from, and which other health units also hosted pilot projects, Jennifer turned it over to Gisele and Nathalie. The two of them told us specifically about the development of the Sudbury program. The Sudbury & District Health Unit has a group of Youth Program Advisors (some of which were seen around the forum, starring in the Can You Feel It? video, working at the campaign booth, and entertaining us during Thursday night’s dinner) who they turned to for advice. It was decided that it would be best for any youth engagement project to have a room of its own in the schools, a place that was not associated with class. Surveys done by the Sudbury & District Health Unit with local youth showed stress was a primary health issue for youth; therefore it was decided that any program they developed should have a focus on stress management.
Nathalie and Gisele also led us in an icebreaker activity; one of the students stood in the middle of the room and we all stood in a circle around him. We were each given a ball to throw at him, and when we did we shouted out a pressure facing him. One lucky volunteer was given the role of his mother and it was her job to try and protect him from all of our projectiles; it was a tough task. Afterwards we repeated this activity, but with two more volunteers representing a teacher and a coach who also helped to protect the student. They were given a short time to come up with a plan, and as the coach pointed out it was actually the student who spoke up first to offer a solution to their network of support. An important lesson, listen to what youth have to say, they might just know what kind of help they need! This time around it was much more difficult for the stressors we were throwing to hit the student, the support network was effective.
Next, the two students told us about the creation of the program room at their school as well as what they do each week. They told us about how the room is a space where no one is judged and all are treated as equals and with respect. They developed their own ways to cope with stress, and end each gathering with a relaxation method. Other activities happen as well, like cooking classes and celebrations of all kinds. The students also told us of how they are ambassadors in their school and have done activities such as performing a skit to teach other students about stress management. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of going into their school and joining the Youth Engagement Group for an afternoon; the kids were all having a fun time, and can make a great three-bean salad!
From what I have seen, programs like this can make a very large difference in the lives of students; they help to create a support network to enhance resiliency skills, improve social skills, and provide a sense of belonging. Schools need more programs like this! Important things mentioned to keep in mind when developing these kinds of programs are that food and celebrations are important, students like to move quickly through projects to see results, there should be a space separate from classrooms for the program, school and agency support is most definitely needed, and it is very important to be flexible.
For more information about Youth Engagement Programs visit http://www.youthengagement.ca/
-Josh
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