Community Youth Resource Centre (CYRC)
Flin Flon Indian & Metis Friendship Association

Project Summary

The Community Youth Resource Centre (CYRC) is an initiative that provides Aboriginal Youth between the ages of 15-24 with opportunity to access and participate in culturally relevant activities, programs, and counselling services. This project is designed to develop Aboriginal Youth with skills and knowledge in all aspects of their lives that will enhance their economic, social and personal prospects.

The main goals of the Community Youth Resource Centre (CYRC) project are to increase Youth participation and to have Aboriginal Youth involvement in all aspects of the project such as; planning, priority-setting, program design, implementation, management, delivery and administration to meet the needs and priorities of Aboriginal Youth within the community.

Our project will target the population of Aboriginal Youth between the ages of 15-24 within the community. The participation of this age group is important because Youth require culturally relevant activities geared towards Aboriginal Youth in the community that will develop their skills and knowledge.

The project will focus programming of activities that will enhance Youth capacity through increasing Youth participation on all levels of project planning and management.

Programs and activities will include:

Health and Social activities and programs providing Youth access to In-house community Youth resources such as Women’s Resource Centre-Youth Worker that will provide counselling services, information and presentations on family relationships, bullying, peer pressure, and healthy teen relationships. Youth will also have access to an Alcohol/Drug Addictions Counsellor for information, referrals, presentations and In-house Counselling. Public Health Nurses will provide safe sex information, safe sex kits, and counselling to Youth. The project will be partnering with the Play It Safer Network and Teen Pregnancy Strategy Working Group to develop strategies with Youth input allowing for sharing of information and resources. The In-house resources will also provide Youth with various health related workshops during the year. All Health and Social activities and programs will enhance capacity for Youth in making informed life decisions.

Cultural Activities -The project goals are to instill cultural pride through providing Youth with access to Elders and traditional activities. Youth will develop a sense of pride by learning about their culture through arts; a hands on learning approach that will provide education and knowledge surrounding the teachings behind traditional arts and crafts. Youth will also have the opportunity to experienceb traditional ceremonies. We will provide other cultural activities on a regular basis for Youth; these cultural activities will include, but are not limited to drumming lessons, dancing lessons, and language classes.

Personal Development -The main priority of this component is to enhance Youth personal development and capacity through learning and skill building. This component will include activities such as a Family Cultural Camp for Youth and Parents, allowing Youth to gain insight on historic and current Family values. Youth will learn about their culture through hands on learning about the traditional way of life, through contact with Elders, through Aboriginal arts such as drum-making, and teachings. Youth will also learn creative expression and messaging through the development of an Aboriginal Drama group. Life skills activities will include the development of a Life Skills Handbook that the Youth will create while working on different aspect of themselves on monthly basis. Youth plan to distribute their Handbook to other Youth Centres and Aboriginal organizations.

Sports & Recreational Activities -The project will encourage active Youth participation in recreational and pro-social activities by providing weekly gym nights to include activities such as volleyball, basketball, all free of cost. This year the Youth have also taken the initiative to plan seasonal activities such as; sliding, fishing, camping, canoeing, Skidooing, skiing, and skating.

Social Activities - A variety of fun and entertaining activities and events for Youth involvement such as; ping pong, pool games, movies, supper, video gaming, cooking, and karaoke nights will be offered. Youth will have access to the Drop-In Centre facility and equipment 7 days a week to hang out, use the phone, relax, play a game of pool, surf the Internet or visit with staff and other Youth.

Youth Leadership - The leadership component of this project is the stepping-stone for the success of all other components. Youth will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for successful delivery of activities and programs for the Youth Centre through following the program planning process. Youth will plan, deliver, and implement project activities. Youth will develop leadership skills by participating in Youth Council meetings, Youth Council training, teambuilding exercises, and through their mentorship role with the younger Youth that attend the Youth Centre.

Community Involvement - The Youth and Youth Council will establish partnerships and linkages so they can assist community groups with activities and events. Youth have outlined in their work plan that they will host an open house to the neighborhood, sponsoring organization, and family members allowing Youth the opportunity to put their abilities and activity planning skills to use. The Youth will continue to assist local organizations with community clean- ups and will continue to work towards environmental projects for the Youth Centre. This involvement will provide the project with some positive community image, community outreach and visibility.

Main Component of Project

Sports and Recreation
The project will encourage active Youth participation in recreational and pro-social activities by providing weekly gym nights to include activities such as volleyball, basketball, free of cost. This year the Youth have taken the initiative to plan seasonal activities such as; sliding, fishing, canoeing, Skidooing, skiing, and skating.

Project Activities

Cultural Activities:
The project goals are to instill cultural pride through providing Youth with access to elders and traditional activities. Youth will develop a sense of pride by learning about their culture through arts; a hands on learning approach that will provide education and knowledge surrounding the teachings behind traditional arts and crafts. Youth will also have the opportunity to experience traditional ceremonies. We will provide cultural activities on a regular basis; the cultural activities will include, but are not limited to drumming lessons, dancing lessons, and language classes.

Personal Development
The focus of this component is to encourage Youth participation in the creation of a Peer-to-Peer Life Skills handbook that will be distributed to other Youth Centres and Aboriginal organizations. Youth will learn about and develop personal skills in self-esteem building, embarrassment, peer pressure, emotions, and family relationships. Youth will also have the opportunity to participate in a Family Cultural camp that will offer workshops on positive parenting skills, cultural arts teachings about culture through participation, traditional hunting skills and camping skills.

Social & Health Programs
This project will focus on maintaining and establishing new partnerships within the community. Youth will have access to In-house resources that will provide one on one counselling in the areas of Drugs/Alcohol, Teen Pregnancy, Safe Sex practices, Women’s issues and relationships. The local Health Centre will provide Youth with various health related workshops during the year.

Social Activities
The project will hold a variety of fun and entertaining activities and events for Youth involvement such as; ping pong, pool games, movies, supper, video gaming, cooking, and karaoke nights. Youth will have access to the Drop In Centre facility and equipment 7 days a week to hang out, use the phone, relax, play a game of pool, surf the Internet or visit with staff and other Youth.

Youth Leadership
The leadership component of this project is the stepping-stone of all other components. Youth will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for successful delivery of activities and programs for the Youth Centre through following the program planning process. Youth will plan, deliver, and implement project activities. Youth will develop leadership skills by attending on-going Youth Council meetings, Youth Council training, teambuilding exercises, and through mentorship roles with younger Youth that attend the Youth Centre.

Community Involvement
The Youth and Youth Council will establish partnerships and linkages so they can assist community groups with activities and events. Youth have outlined in their work plan that they will host an open house to the neighborhood, sponsoring organization, and family members, allowing Youth the opportunity to put their abilities and activities planning skills to use. The Youth will continue to assist local organizations with community clean ups and will continue to work towards environmental projects for the Youth Centre. This involvement will provide the project with some positive community image, community outreach and visibility.

Anticipated Results and Outcomes

Youth having increased awareness and prevention methods surrounding issues such as; suicide, safe sex practices, teen pregnancies, and Racism.
Preventative and Intervention skills and knowledge acquired for at-risk behaviors such as: Hepatitis C, Aids, STD’s, and crime.
Positive parenting skills demonstrated by Youth that have young children.
Youth learning coping tools and skills to personally manage their lives.