Learning and laughter – BC sector professionals gather to support children and youth
Two-hundred-fifty educators, agency staff, child and youth sector professionals, and youth from across BC – Westbank First Nation to Coal Harbour, Cranbook to Kamloops and Burnaby to name a few – gathered in Vancouver on November 3rd for a day of learning and laughter.
The United Way BC Child & Youth Sector Strengthening Conference 2023 – Here. For Brighter Futures marks the first gathering of its kind since the creation of United Way BC in 2021. The conference provided a platform for sharing research findings, best practices, and innovative approaches to specific challenges facing children and youth in British Columbia, such as mental health, substance abuse, poverty, and access to quality education.
“The 2023 Child and Youth Sector Strengthening Conference, the workshop content and speakers, and the stories shared are all a part of a compass guiding progress and were informed by what we’re hearing in communities across BC, says Trisha Dulku, Strategic Initiatives Manager, Community Impact & Investment at United Way BC. “Where knowledge converges, networks flourish, and innovation and learning take root. This conference was not just a gathering; it was about sharing ideas, forging collaboration, solving challenges, and building towards a future where collective efforts can advocate and redefine what’s possible when working with children and youth.”
Indigenous learning kicks off the day
Keynote speaker Monique Gray Smith kicked off the day by inspiring the audience with a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture and ways to share that with children and youth. A Cree and Scottish award-winning author who specializes in teaching children and youth about truth and reconciliation, Monique’s spirit of generosity and focus on resilience made for a great start to the conference.
Thought-provoking workshops
Conference participants took part in workshops ranging from understanding the importance of physical literacy and how it can foster social inclusion and cohesion, reconciliation, and psychosocial well-being for those who are new to a country or community, to gaining an understanding of mental health stigma and equipping young people to navigate mental health challenges. How to address eco-anxiety and community care in the face of inequitable climate impacts and decolonizing children and youth programming were also popular topics.
“I learned a lot from the workshop by Rachel Malena-Chan about supporting young people through climate anxiety, especially as someone who’s done climate justice organizing and feels eco-anxiety myself,” says Balqees Jama of PeerNetBC.
“I also found the session by Sport for Life about increasing physical literacy for Indigenous, immigrant, and refugee youth helpful for understanding how sport can be used as a mechanism for reconciliation.”
Youth perspectives
Celebrating Success Youth Panel panelists shared their passion and innovative ways of working to promote equity and inclusion.
“I appreciated that this inaugural conference intentionally platformed young people doing amazing work in their communities,” says Balqees. “I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with folks at booths by youth-led initiatives/organizations. The diverse youth panel at the end of the conference was also insightful and inspiring!”
Community close
The day ended with words and song from Jacky Essombe from United Way BC Community Partner African Friendship Centre Society, and musician Kocassale Dioubate. In Jacky’s village in Cameroon, there is no word for ‘community’ as community is the way of life itself. The music from Jacky and Kocassale grounded attendees in community, belonging, and togetherness to close the conference.
“Being able to attend a conference like this after COVID, meeting like-minded people from across the province who are also working with youth… it’s like getting a glass of water after wandering the desert,” says a conference attendee.
United Way BC help kids be all that they can be
Since 2008, United Way BC has invested over $28 Million in out-of-school time support for children via School’s Out, Future Leaders, Child and Youth Mental Health, and our partnership with the Youth Futures Education Fund. United Way BC has been a key partner with nonprofits, school districts, and stakeholders to help kids be all that they can be. For more information about our work in this sector, visit: Our Work | United Way British Columbia (uwbc.ca)