12th Annual Breaking Barriers & Building Bridges ("B4") Youth Health Conference

October 3-5th, Evans Lake Camp

This year's B4 explored the theme of the Global Individual and included workshops on topics such as the anti-violence movement, media awareness, healthy community development, self-expression and leadership, with the goal of empowering youth to be advocates for change on a local and global scale. In addition to workshops, there was plenty of time for youth to meet new people from around the province, hang out, and have fun in a beautiful camp setting.

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The Next Steps: A Workshop Toolkit to Engage Youth in Community Action

The Next Steps is a workshop series that provides youth along with supportive adults an opportunity to discuss the results of the 2003 BC Adolescent Health Survey, identify priority issues, and plan projects for improving the health of youth in their communities. The Next Steps Toolkit has been developed for anyone interested in organizing a Next Steps workshop or workshop series. It contains everything needed to put on a successful and fun youth event.

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In addition to the Toolkit, between April and October 2005, the McCreary Centre Society conducted 13 Next Steps Workshops in communities all over BC. A summary from conversations with youth during these workshops is available in a provincial summary report.

> The Next Steps: BC Youths' response to the AHS III and Ideas for Action (1.8 MB pdf)

> Order hardcopy

From the Inside Out: Promoting Resiliency in Early Adolescence

This was a 2 year project (2002-2004) funded by the Population Health Fund, Health Canada. Two reports were produced:

Healthy Youth Development: The Opportunity of Early Adolescence. This report aims to bridge the gaps among youth health research, policy, and programming for young people aged 11 to 14 (see below for description)

From the Inside Out: Workshop Toolkit. Over a 16 month period, McCreary partnered with three communities -- North Surrey, Moricetown, and Ulkatcho (Anahim Lake). A series of workshops was conducted in each community involving young adolescents (aged 11 - 14 years) in a number of activities such as community mapping, recreational, and creating a community project of their own. These activities encouraged skill development, leadership, cultural awareness, community connectedness and healthy choices. A report summarizing the experience is available in pdf format for downloading (download report).

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Youth Fact Sheets

Finally, Fact Sheets from McCreary just for youth. These fact sheets were developed and designed by youth staff at McCreary. They are what youth find interesting about the AHS.

> VIEW youth fact sheets

What is Youth Participation?

Meaningful youth participation involves recognizing and nurturing the strengths, interests, and abilities of young people through real opportunities for youth to become involved.

Get the "Basics" of youth participation with information on why it matters, degrees of participation, and how non-youth fit in.

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Youth Advisory Council (YAC)

McCreary's Youth Advisory Council is a collection of about 20 youth from a diverse background who each bring unique skills and experiences to everything the YAC does.

> MEET the YAC

Thinking of Starting a Youth Council? Try YAC-Link

McCreary’s Youth Advisory Council in partnership with the Powell River and Tla’Amin YAC are excited to develop the YAC-Link resource. YAC-Link is a great resource for anyone who is interested in organizing a Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

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Youth Projects

McCreary has done a variety of Youth Participation projects in the past. Here you'll find some information and results of youth projects our youth staff and YAC have been involved in. Check it out, there's some pretty cool stuff:

• Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges (a weekend youth-for-youth health workshop).
• Next Steps
• Dr. Project - youth-in-care talking about the health care system
• The Open Door - is your community youth friendly?

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