Youth Empowerment Initiative

Youth Empowerment Initiative

At Bridgeway, we believe in the power of empowerment. We aim to empower youth to overcome challenges, develop resilience, and thrive in their environments.

Our support goes beyond immediate solutions; it paves the way for long-term success. These young individuals have frequently endured intricate traumas initiated by adults and might be confronting cumulative risks that surpass the challenges encountered by most children engaged in conventional recreational programs. The strict structures and regulations associated with participation in many sports and recreational programs can often be inflexible. Due to the distinctive behavioural requirements of numerous children and youth in care, their chances of receiving support to engage in community activities are restricted. To nurture their holistic development, this program will assist them in identifying their interests and strengths.

The program establishes connections between youth and Certified Child and Youth Care Counsellors. These mentors provide support and motivation to help children and youth enhance their skills and engage in various activities. The sessions are designed to be in-person for a minimum of 3 hours per week over a 10-week period. If necessary, there is the option to extend the duration of the connection.

The goals of the program:

• Facilitating Meaningful Relationships for Children and Youth:
  Our primary objective is to aid children and youth in developing robust, meaningful connections with others. Collaborating with a dependable, attentive, and purposeful support figure can guide children and youth in navigating the relationships outlined by the Service Team.
• Cultivating Positive Self-Perceptions:
  Self-perceptions encompass how children and youth view themselves, their abilities, and their sense of empowerment. For instance, those confident in their abilities to tackle specific tasks tend to exhibit greater optimism, reduced anxiety, and increased determination to achieve their goals. Fostering positive self-perceptions can be achieved by acknowledging the efforts of children and youth, assisting them in setting achievable short-term objectives, and supporting them in learning from setbacks.
• Cultural Engagement:
  Children and youth thrive when embraced by a community with shared values and beliefs. Furthermore, the positive guidance rooted in spiritual or cultural traditions can be a source of resilience for children and youth in times of adversity. Our mentors will actively assist the children and youth they engage with in participating in cultural activities and exploring their cultural identities.
• Foster Resilience:
  Let's clarify the concept of "resilience." As defined by the American Psychological Association (APA), resilience is the ability to effectively adapt in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or substantial sources of stress. In simpler terms, it means the capacity to recover and thrive following challenging experiences. The foremost element that contributes to resilience is supportive and nurturing relationships. The mentoring relationship is one of these vital connections for numerous children and youth.