Child and Youth Worker (1055)
3 Years - 6 Semesters
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Community Fun
The Child and Youth Worker program has developed a number of special programs that have made a significant contribution to the community of Sault Ste. Marie. Students have been and are directly involved in these projects and have learned first-hand just what it takes to create and deliver such events. Faculty and community field work supervisors provide the direction while students earn credit for their contribution. Students in the CYW program have an opportunity to work closely with faculty and agency personnel while in the program to develop their strengths and professionalism.
Annual W.A.L.K. – We All Love Kids
Each year (since 2001) the 3rd year Child and Youth Worker Students in the context of the Community Development course in the CYW Program plan and run a family fun day for children and their families in the community. This event is entirely free for the participants. Children and their families are treated to a wide range of fun activities, copious free draws, and free food. A great time is usually had by all. This year was no exception.
This year’s event was held in mid-April at Sault College. Our thanks go out to the community for the fantastic support given to the event by the businesses and merchants whose generosity helped make this event such a success.
CYW students raise money through pledges for an agency or service of the student’s choice. This year the funds were allocated to the development of a multi-sensory room for special needs children in the community. The amount of money raised this year was close to $9,000.00 – all of this in 12 weeks. This does not include “donations in kind”.
The total monies raised of the years are in excess of $40,000.00, all of which has been funnelled back into the community to support community child and family initiatives.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Click on Pictures to see Larger Size
In the course of the three year program, CYW students and faculty take advantage of our location at the hub of Lakes Superior and Huron. Through courses such as Recreation Leadership, Group Dynamics and Field Work, we have been camping and hiking in our local and provincial parks. We have visited with elders and healers at Garden River First Nation. We have been seen playing non-competitive games at a municipal park and have been cross-country skiing in a park that is 15 minute drive from the College.
Examples of past projects have included the following:
Empathy Belly: An empathy belly is a device that is worn by a participant and simulates many of the symptoms of pregnancy. A CYW student team would present the empathy belly education program to adolescents with a focus on prevention of teen pregnancy and education about the realities of pregnancy.
Youth Span: This program (no longer in operation) was developed between the CYW faculty, a local high school, a local church and a youth network. This program provided supervised alternative lunch-time activities for high school students other than the cafeteria. CYW students linked directly with the high school guidance department. This program received an award of excellence from the Ontario Teacher's Federation.
Sexual Assault Prevention Awareness Campaign: This project began as classroom activity for the community development course. Under the direction of faculty, students submitted a proposal which was accepted by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. The successful project was a Sexual Assault Prevention Awareness Campaign for Sault College students which targeted an audience of approximately 2,400 students. A follow-up project included an educational campaign on the links between alcohol use and sexual assault.
Confrontation Skills Training: This project was developed by Sandy MacDonald, CYW faculty. She and colleague Jeff Arbus, marketed and presented this model to train people to effectively manage confrontations. Sandy and Jeff have presented this training in Canada, the United States and Scotland. Students are trained in this model to enhance their abilities to defuse and manage confrontations.