Happy World Youth Skills Day!
Today, we honour the incredible potential of young minds and their ability to shape a brighter future. It’s a day to recognize the importance of equipping youth with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world and emphasizes the importance of skill development, including education, training, and hands-on experiences. We take this day to applaud the determination, resilience, and unwavering spirit of our youth in care in York Region and beyond.
Over the past few years, youth programming at York Region CAS has developed thanks to several important members of our staff and our dedicated community partners. On behalf of York Region CAS, we would like to sincerely thank youth support worker, Christine Kaufman, for supporting the Youth Advisory Council and ongoing activities for youth including life skills, workforce training, and recreational adventures. We would also like to thank our dedicated Education Liaisons for working to develop programming that prepares youth for post-secondary applications and education.
We are pleased to share that the below programming and initiatives were provided to youth in care this past year:
Life Skills
- Financial Literacy
- OSAP Workshops and Applications
- Scholarship Writing Workshops and Bursary Applications
- Flip and Floss (Learning about Investing – TSFA, RRSP, etc.)
- Filing Taxes
- YMCA Opioids Program, YMCA Gambling Awareness Program
- 360 Kids Mental Health & LEGIT Workshops
- Chef Ben West – Cooking a full turkey dinner
- Cooking with Christine – weekly virtual cooking sessions
- RentSmart Housing Workshop
- Saving Money by Price Matching Workshop
Workforce Preparation
- Smart Serve
- Cannsell
- Food Handlers
- 360 Kids Employment Workshops
The impact of these programs cannot be understated. Skills and experience from these programs can improve confidence, increase a sense of community, prepare students for post-secondary education, and create lifelong friendships for the youth we serve.
Today, we would also like to recognize the York Region CAS Youth Advisory Council, who provide invaluable support to our Agency through consultation, creation of resources, public speaking, and more!
A special thanks to all our staff who work to create new and engaging opportunities for our diverse youth to thrive and gain valuable life skills. Your dedication and support to planning, organizing, and working with our youth is making a difference each day for the children, youth, and families we serve.
If you would like to learn more about World Youth Skills Day, click here.
