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Looking for youth to co-lead and provide feedback on the services they use

RM Registered Member

Wisdom2Action for Youth Participants

You don’t have to be old to be wise.

  • Join us if you:
  • Are 18-30 years old;
  • Have a strong commitment, interest or experience in mental health programming or youth related issues;
  • Want to change the way services are provided for youth.

We want youth to co-lead AND participate in the Wisdom2Action events. Don’t just ask for change; make the change happen with us.

Not sure if you have “wisdom”?

 

You do.

 

Your experience is unique. The people creating and working in the systems that serve youth want to hear what young people think about what they are doing.

 

Time and Date:
Toronto, Ontario
Date: Thursday December 5, 2013
Time: 9am – 4pm
Location: Centre for Social Innovation Annex, 720 Bathurst St.,
Register online:
https://docs.google.com/forms/...BkLvTbo-tQc/viewform
 
Website for more information:http://cyccnetwork.org/en/kmb/...r-youth#.UoqE8BzNpCe
 
Original Post

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RM Registered Member

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend this event as I'm from the London area and am in school that day. As a youth, I just wanted to point out, (and not trying to be nit picky), that your use of the words "you don't have to be old to be wise", aren't very youth friendly or inviting- rather they are offensive.

That's just my thoughts, however if you're looking for youth we know that, youth recognize that. As a suggestion, just leave out that next time.

Just my thoughts.

RM Registered Member
Thanks Deana! This poster is from the people at my old job, so I just copied and pasted the info they sent me into this EENet thread but I'll pass along your advice! Thank you so much for being observant!
 
Originally Posted by Deana:

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend this event as I'm from the London area and am in school that day. As a youth, I just wanted to point out, (and not trying to be nit picky), that your use of the words "you don't have to be old to be wise", aren't very youth friendly or inviting- rather they are offensive.

That's just my thoughts, however if you're looking for youth we know that, youth recognize that. As a suggestion, just leave out that next time.

Just my thoughts.

 

RM Registered Member
Hi Deana!
 
I just heard back from the people who are putting on the Wisdom2Action event. First of all, they want to thank you for your helpful suggestion. It was, and is, very much appreciated, valued, and respected!
 
In response to your feedback they have said: "What a conundrum...we have some youth on the planning committee that said we should say that specific line, otherwise youth won't think they will have anything to contribute...what to do, what to do..."
 
They are currently going back to the group to see how the youth-wisdom line can be changed to make it more youth-friendly!
 
Thank you so much for you input! 
 
Patrick
 
Originally Posted by Deana:

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend this event as I'm from the London area and am in school that day. As a youth, I just wanted to point out, (and not trying to be nit picky), that your use of the words "you don't have to be old to be wise", aren't very youth friendly or inviting- rather they are offensive.

That's just my thoughts, however if you're looking for youth we know that, youth recognize that. As a suggestion, just leave out that next time.

Just my thoughts.

 

RM Registered Member

Great discussion...

  • I am a 'dinosaur' (mother advocate who lost her son to overdose) so I am a 'little' past my youth stage but I am involved with a lot of youth initiatives.
  • It is a conundrum....and we adults sometimes make it so complex trying not to offend, so we end up creating 'tag lines' by default to engage youth.
  • I love that Deana was brave enough to say..."As a youth, that offends me" and then Patrick's pointed out that it was actually youth approved- so in essence the creators followed the 'protocol' of engaging youth.
  • My guess is that the 'tag line' was thought up by adults and then asked the youth if it should be used.
  • I have discovered through processes that we adults need to just come from the heart when trying to engage, validate and support youth in the processes.
  • I think what may have been 'offensive' is the assumption that youth won't think they are wise.IE:"Not sure if you have “wisdom”? You don't have to be old to be wise".

Youth generally know they are wise and it is the fact that they continually have to 'validate' that to adults that seems to annoy. Admittedly, it is hard to find that perfect balance. I myself have been reminded several times that I made a youth assumption because I was using my adult filter.

 

Betty-Lou Kristy

PROVIDING EVIDENCE from community to systems level policy, planning & governance

 

 

RM Registered Member
Any time Deana!
 
The organization is the Children and Youth in Challenging Contexts (CYCC) network.  The CYCC is:
 
"The CYCC is a knowledge mobilization network that was created to improve mental health and well-being for vulnerable and at-risk children and youth in Canada. It promotes the use of research, best and promising practices, and local knowledge in mental health programming for vulnerable and at-risk young people.

 

The CYCC is funded by the Networks of Centres of Excellence and involves a growing number of partners from non-profit organizations, healthcare, and government, as well as researchers from universities across Canada and internationally."

 

If you're interested in checking out more on the CYCC there website is: http://www.cyccnetwork.org/en/

 

Hope this helps!

 

Patrick

 
Originally Posted by Deana:

Thank you. I am happy to know they have youth on the planning committee that is great! What organization is this with?

Perhaps I'm interpreting it differently than what they mean.

 

RM Registered Member
Thanks for your input Betty-Lou! I wasn't a part of the process so I can't say for sure how the tag line was developed.
 
You're right, it's difficult creating a tag line that can appeal to everyone since people (youth and adults) because everyone is so different that one thing can mean a million things to a million different people.  It was created from a caring place but the CYCC people are very understanding about this conundrum so they truly appreciate all o fthis feedback!
 
Originally Posted by Betty-Lou Kristy:

Great discussion...

  • I am a 'dinosaur' (mother advocate who lost her son to overdose) so I am a 'little' past my youth stage but I am involved with a lot of youth initiatives.
  • It is a conundrum....and we adults sometimes make it so complex trying not to offend, so we end up creating 'tag lines' by default to engage youth.
  • I love that Deana was brave enough to say..."As a youth, that offends me" and then Patrick's pointed out that it was actually youth approved- so in essence the creators followed the 'protocol' of engaging youth.
  • My guess is that the 'tag line' was thought up by adults and then asked the youth if it should be used.
  • I have discovered through processes that we adults need to just come from the heart when trying to engage, validate and support youth in the processes.
  • I think what may have been 'offensive' is the assumption that youth won't think they are wise.IE:"Not sure if you have “wisdom”? You don't have to be old to be wise".

Youth generally know they are wise and it is the fact that they continually have to 'validate' that to adults that seems to annoy. Admittedly, it is hard to find that perfect balance. I myself have been reminded several times that I made a youth assumption because I was using my adult filter.

 

Betty-Lou Kristy

PROVIDING EVIDENCE from community to systems level policy, planning & governance

 

 

 

RM Registered Member

Hi everyone!

Betty-Lou that's exactly what I was thinking- in terms of youth won't think they are wise. Also I'm thinking the same in which the adults may have thought it up and then said "hey youth! yes or no?"

 

I'm actually quite familiar with the CYCC Network! mindyourmind has done a few projects with them so I'm a little surprised- but we're all human just trying to help one another.

Thank you.

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