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

bridget.manahan@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

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