Youth Programs & Services
YWCA Moncton offers a wide variety of youth programs to address different needs in our community. All of our programs are free of charge and are inclusive of Anglophone, Francophone, Aboriginal, and newcomer youth, as well as LGBT youth and youth living with disabilities. Many of our programs are open to both girls* and boys.
YWCA Moncton Youth Membership
If you’re under age 18, you can become a YWCA Moncton Youth Member for just $5 (we welcome boys and girls as youth members!). Membership gets you swanky YWCA pin and access to special YWCA Moncton Youth info. Please note that you aren’t required to be a member to participate in our programs and Youth Members cannot vote at the Annual General Meeting.
Youth Thrive!
Youth Thrive is an academic-support initiative made possible by the Rogers Youth Fund (link here). Youth Thrive! has two components: Techno Tutoring and On My Way.
-Techno Tutoring: A program offered to Beaverbrook School, Shediac Cape School, and Sunny Brae Middle School students (girls and boys) who are referred by their school resource teachers. Students receive one-one-one tutoring during school (Beaverbrook and Shediac Cape students) or small group after-school tutoring (Sunny Brae Middle students). Students use technology like LCD note pads, iPads, ereaders and iPods to improve basic math, literacy, and science skills. Download the full information and referral document here (English only).
-On My Way: A program for girls* age 12-19 (in some cases, exceptions can be made to accommodate girls who are 19+) who are attending a District 1 or 2 school in the Greater Moncton Area are struggling to succeed academically and are at-risk of leaving school. Participants, who can be referred by any community member, will meet one-one-one with a tutor once a week and interact over social media between meetings. Participants can be tutored (in English or French) in academic subjects and/or focus on social issues that are preventing their success in school (i.e. bullying, violence in the home, etc.). Download the full information and referral document here. Once a month, all participants and tutors gather for group workshops.
GirlSpace
GirlSpace is an amazing girls-only program that is run by YWCAs all across Canada. Every GirlSpace looks a little different depending on where the program is being run and who is participating. YWCA Moncton regularly offers GirlSpace as a once-a-week afterschool program for girls age in grade 7 and 8 that lasts anywhere from 6-12 weeks. Girls will participate in workshops, trips, and projects all designed to bolster their self-esteem and leadership skills while encouraging them to engage critically with social issues. Because of this strong focus on critical thinking and personal development, GirlSpace is a signature YWCA violence-prevention program.
Girls Council
YWCA Moncton is working hard to set up our very own Girls’ Council. This council is going to be made up of local girls and young women who help develop and plan our youth programs and represent the YWCA at youth-focused events and gatherings. More information will be coming soon!
Tumblr
The YWCA youth team has their own Tumblr! Visit ywcagirls.tumblr.com to see a collection of all sorts of awesomeness: photos, arts, articles, and a list of our favorite blogs and websites. You can even submit your own content!
Power of Being a Girl & Strength in Being a Boy Conferences
These single-day conferences, made up of a series of gender-specific workshops, are offered in local schools to youth aged 12-14. Boys and girls cycle through workshops that address topics such as healthy relationships, self-esteem, and positive body image through activities and guided discussion in a safe space. Participants always receive YWCA swag to take home!
Rainbows Grief Recovery Program
Rainbows is an international organization that fosters emotional healing among children and youth grieving a loss resulting from a life-altering crisis. Multiple YWCA Moncton staff are trained Rainbows program facilitators and we are happy to be able to offer this grief-recovery program to children and youth and the adults in their lives. Participants meet once a week for 12 weeks to work through their Rainbows journal. Learn more about the Rainbows here.
A 14-week rainbows program for teenage girls (age 12-18) and their caregivers will be starting in Spring 2012. Note that the youth and adults will be divided into separate groups that run at the same time. Please call or email to register.
Case Management and Referral Services
Youth Department staff may offer formal case management services (using the same system that the RCMP and Public Safety use, the YLS/CMI) to youth clients who require enhanced support. When youth and/or their families require services and support that are not offered by the YWCA, we will gladly provide referrals to other service-providers. When necessary, we will advocate for youth clients to ensure they receive the services and support they require.
Interested in bringing our programs to you? YWCA Moncton is happy to provide outreach services to our community or consult on how to ensure your programs are inclusive and gender-sensitive. If you are interested in bringing any of our programs or services to your area, please contact Beth Lyons, the Youth Programs Manager, at blyons@ywcamoncton.com or (506) 855-4349.
*Our girls-only programs are inclusive of trans youth who identify as female.
