The Center for Community Outreach

Transcription

1 The Center for Community Outreach and Care Annual Report Prepared by: Child and Youth Care Ashleigh Martinflatt June 2015

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2 i History of the Outreach Center.. 3 ii. Activity plan, membership and administrative structure.. 4 iii. Objectives and achievements for the year.. 6 Objectives. 6 Achievements 7 Direct Outreach Center Development Results.. 7 iv. Contributions made to the experiences of students and the community. 8 v. Revenue and Expenditures 8 vi. Projected Plan for 2015/2016 Academic Year 9 Annual Report 2014/15 1

3 Business of Reported Year Executive Summary The Centre for Outreach and Community Care (Outreach Center), established in June 2013 by the Child and Youth Care (CYC), department at Vancouver Island University, has had a successful second year. Focusing on the intended goals; the highlights and achievements of the academic year include: The creation of a 10 member community based Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee is the guiding force behind ensuring that the programs offered are reflective of current community strengths, needs and issues. Six students in their 4 th year practicum course, worth 9 credits, supported by faculty, developed and implemented three community projects. Created and implemented a series of Neighbour to Neighbour events in the Harewood community, with the main goal being to enhance the relationship between the community and university. Secured funding, $2500, for the year from an outside donor, Island Savings. The completion of waiver and permission form documents, created in consultation with the university. i. History of the Outreach Center The Center for Community Outreach and Care is based in the Faculty of Health and Human Services at Vancouver Island University. Since the university is situated in the Harewood community, the Centre is in a prime position to serve the local residents through quality assessment and programming. Harewood is a unique community whose largest population sector is youth aged with an area that has a large percentage of low income individuals resulting in poverty and social issues and a need for services. Annual Report 2014/15 2

4 The mission statement for the Center for Outreach and Community Care is to provide meaningful learning opportunities for students who are committed to working with children, youth and families in their communities. The impetus for the center came from a strong desire of faculty to create enriched practical learning experiences for students which would be advantageous to the community and reduce the demand while simultaneously providing child, youth and family focused programs to the Nanaimo Harewood community. The Centre for Community Outreach and Care was approved by faculty council in June 2013; supporting the centre s vision to promote excellence in child and youth care practice, education and research, by achieving the following goals: To provide applied practical learning experiences for Child and Youth Care students. To Increase student inter professional learning opportunities. To enhance social programming in the Harewood community. Using evidence based strategies and strong local community partnerships, promote best practice from a social justice lens. To facilitate, conduct and disseminate research to support children, youth, families and communities ii. Activity plan, membership and administrative structure The Centre for Community Outreach and Care is supported by the Child and Youth Care Advisory Committee whose membership comprises of CYC leaders in the Child and Youth Care field of practice. The Advisory Committee met twice during the year. Members include; Shannon Wilson Community School Coordinator John Barsby Community School Jason Harrison Executive Director Canadian Mental Health Association Mid Island Annual Report 2014/15 3

5 Veronica Buck Community School Coordinator Georgia Avenue Community School Michael Mills Youth and Family Counselor DISCOVERY Youth and Family Substance Use Constable Sherri Wade, Youth Officer Nanaimo RCMP Gwen Vonarx Program and Event Coordinator CMHA Mid Island Branch Hayden Johnston Program Supervisor Boys and Girls Club Tania Brzovic School Trustee Brittney Lowe Womens Resource Center Kathleen Reed Queer, Transgender and Transitioning Youth Group Facilitator In addition, the Center was supported with a one section release that allowed for a Coordinator position. Ashleigh Martinflatt, acted in this position and was able to take responsibility for coordinating the Advisory Committee, and community and University liaison functions. iii. Objectives and achievements for the year Objectives for the Outreach Centre included: Increasing student awareness around social justice issues in the community. Increasing faculty/student clinical contact hours. To enhance community partnerships with Child and Youth Care Department. Building relationships between the Harewood Community and VIU Outreach Centre. Annual Report 2014/15 4

6 Achievements The following programs were launched this year in consultation with community partners. Youth Mental Health Project The overall goal of this project was to increase the capacity of young people (youth) to prevent and manage depression and anxiety. Students worked in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, local schools and other community partners. Students created, and facilitated, a 6 week Stomp out Stigma Youth Mental Health Group in the Harewood community. The students also created and presented mental health presentations to high school classes in Harewood. Queer, Transgender and Transitioning Youth Group Students supported a pre existing 'queer youth group'. This group was made up of approximately 20 youth and young adults, who meet weekly to connect, build friendships and support one another. The students facilitated specific workshop topics in response to needs identified by the group and worked with the volunteer facilitators to help build their capacity as facilitators. Students also worked through a planning process with this group in order to identify needs and priorities. In addition, students also facilitated the Barsby Gay Straight Alliance in Barsby high school. Here to There Social Justice Initiative Students who worked on this project were aiming to increase awareness of social justice issues in the Harewood community and globally. The focus this year was on food sustainability and students worked to develop the Child and Youth Care social justice club, support the work of KIDS International organization and develop a local food security project, with various community partners. This group, along with members of the Child and Youth Care Social Justice Club, hosted community wide special events and fundraising initiatives in support of KIDS and kids here and in Cambodia. Students also created and facilitated a 4 week food sense workshop for young mothers in the Harewood community. This program is run out of Barsby High school. Annual Report 2014/15 5

7 Direct Outreach Center Development Results 1. The development and facilitation of three unique student led, faculty supported community based projects. 2. The securement of a $2500 financial donation and yearly sponsor, Island Savings 3. The completion of participant waiver documents 4. The creation and start up of the Outreach Center s Advisory Committee 5. The inter professional partnership with Dental Hygiene for the year iv. Contributions made to the experiences of students and the community This was our first year of program development and facilitation within the community and it was a success. Six students completed their 4 th year practicum in the Center, which is a 300 hour time commitment, 9 credit course. All 6 students were successful in completing this year long course and had valuable learning experiences. An appreciative inquiry process was completed at the end of the term and the learning themes that were highlighted by the students were around topics such as understanding social justice, time management, working with community partners, program development, connection with marginalized youth and communication skills. The relationship with the Harewood community continues to grow and the active participation in the Advisory Committee is a testimony to this. In addition, this spring the Coordinator was contacted by several local community agencies that have identified a need and service gap that they are hoping to partner with the Center for in the September 2015 school year. Many community meetings and consultations have occurred and the approach that the Center has taken is to respect the community as the expert and follow their lead. This approach has opened many doors and allowed many partnerships to grow. v. Revenue and Expenditures Please see attached Budget Annual Report 2014/15 6

8 vi. Projected Plan for 2015/2016 Academic Year Invite interest from 3rd year students to complete their practica through the Outreach Center. Approximately students. Seven community projects have been recommended by the Advisory Committee for the school year. Students will start working on these projects in September. Evaluate the projects and present findings to Advisory committee. Advisory Committee to start the work on making recommendations for 2016 project ideas. Continue to develop relationships within the community to raise awareness and invite feedback on the work of the Outreach Center. Continue to pursue outside funding sources for identified projects and possibly ongoing operations of the Center. To continue to work on adding inter disciplinary opportunities for students. Annual Report 2014/15 7