Fall 2019 Community Mentor Trainings
Right To Play trainings support Community Mentors (CMs) to deepen their knowledge and skills that are required to design, deliver and measure programs that build positive life-skills and leadership skills for children and youth. Trainings bring together CMs from multiple territories and provide a safe, playful space for CMs to build a community of support, learn and share with one another, and practice strategies for using play-based learning in their programs. These trainings are facilitated by Right To Play staff, Community Mentors and guest facilitators.
PLAY East Fall Training welcomed both new and returning CMs. Each CM participated in a specific pathway determined from their experience with leading child and youth programs. This enabled training workshops to target specific skill and knowledge sets, as well as individuals’ professional development goals. The purpose of this training was for CMs to:
- Understand the role and responsibilities of a Community Mentor;
- Deepen their knowledge and tools to best support positive child and youth development;
- Build a peer network of like-minded individuals.
Many thanks to the many guest facilitators and support workers who contributed to the safe space at Fall Training: Charlene Hemlock (Guest Facilitator, Six Nations of the Grand River); Pam Tabobondung (Guest Facilitator, Wasauksing First Nation); Joyce Tabobondung (Elder, Wasauksing First Nation); Ernie Sandy (Elder, Christian Island); Dmitri Ashawasegai (Support Worker, Knowledge Keeper); Deanna Durham (Kids Help Phone, Six Nations of the Grand River); and Ron Yeung (Basketball Canada).
"[A highlight from training was] connecting and learning about other CMs and their community programs.” – Community Mentor, Fall Training
PLAY West Fall Training welcomed new and returning CMs together to:
- Share their knowledge and experiences;
- Build their capacity to facilitate impactful youth programs in their communities;
- Enhance their knowledge and skills in specific areas of work critical to leading youth programs, including: trauma-informed practice, coping skills, equity and inclusion, building positive youth identity, recruiting and engaging youth.
A variety of expert guests facilitated throughout the week on topics such as: art therapy, self-care, digital story telling, theatre games and physically-inclusive games. We want tothank the onsite support workers for their contributions to the week: Nancy James (Psychosocial support worker, Cowichan Tribes); Debra Trask (Elder, West Moberly First Nations); Dennis Joseph (Elder, Squamish Nation); Paul Wechselberger (LifeGuard Outreach Society).
