Youth at Risk

Today I attended a half day session dedicated to looking for ways to help Youth at Risk. It was a good morning. There were representatives from various agencies and institutions that work with youth including youth counsellors, guidance and addiction counselors, YMCA staff, probation officers, psychologist, a lawyer, city council rep., etc.

They broke us into smaller focus groups and had a facilitator work with groups of about 6 to 8 to answer 3 questions.
1. What are the barriers, gaps, problems to helping youth at risk?
2. What is your dream / idea that you have to help youth at risk?
3. Which of these dreams/ideas do you think would be the one to focus on?

We then expanded on that idea as a group. Then each table summarized their groups answers with the large group.

Although there were a number of issues brought up, the main themes seemed to be 1. Better coordination with the services that are already existing in the city (agencies often do not know what other agencies / programs are doing). I saw this problem when I worked down South too. 2. Lack of resources for youth to be able to access the help they require (i.e. The local Community Counselling services has a huge waiting list) 3. Lack of community for youth… which lead to the majority of the 'focus' groups coming up with the idea of a Youth Centre, a place they feel comfortable in, not too structured but that gives youth access to recreation and other services they may require.

This whole event was spearheaded by a parent who cannot stand by and watch youth and families suffer and wants to make a difference. Her commitment to helping youth at risk is very admirable. The difference she is making was very apparent today shown by the great turnout and enthusiasm the participants had for the event. She is a great role model of someone who does not sit around complaining or waiting for things to change. I was inspired!

I think having a center that helps youth to feel a sense of community is a great idea but I think it is only part of the answer. I believe that change has to start with each of us individually. I believe that unless we address our own issues, heal our own wounds and raise our awareness to find peace within ourselves first it is difficult to pass it on to others. The challenge with that is that we often find our issues to painful to address or we are not aware of them or deny that they exist. But only by addressing the deeper issues at work do we stop the cycle from continuing.

Below are some resources that assist both youth and adults with that inner and outer change:

The Total Transformation Program – James Lehman
http://www.thetotaltransformation.com/Default.aspx

Community Building Foundation - For Youth at Risk
http://www.communitybuildingfoundation.org/index.htm

The Hoffman Institute Canada - This one I attended myself, there were various ages including two young men both 23 years old. One of those young men came in very sullen and quiet and left smiling and transformed. It is an expensive program but there is some sponsorship available and they will do ‘special’ groups if organized by someone else. i.e. they told us they have done some teen groups.
http://www.hoffmaninstitute.ca/home.html

The Hoffman Institute USA – This is the same as above but I find this website gives more information than the Canadian one.
http://www.quadrinity.com/index.html

The Virtues Project – Learning about and exploring virtues is part of my coaching steps. Although their are some differences with what I teach I think they offer an excellent program.
http://www.virtuesproject.com/index.php

Soul Solutions Life and Career Coaching - And of course my own coaching programs that help with the process of moving towards greater peace and awareness.
www.soulsolutions.ca