How have youth on the Northside been impacted by the work of Community Cares Youth Outreach?
Some of our past participants agreed to be interviewed about their experience with us. Overwhelmingly, you gave credit to us for your education, careers, and social success. Some of you even described CCYO as having saved your lives.
This kind of feedback is precious to us, and we are sharing it now to help even more of you envision the future you might find for yourself.
Finding your way
Education & Employment
You know – we know you know – how difficult it can be to obtain employment when your education is incomplete or interrupted. We’re here to get you the rest of the way.
Almost all of our past participants claim that they received their GED because of us. About half of those interviewed had a college or university education that they said would not be possible without our support and guidance.
Wherever you are in your educational journey – wherever you got lost – we can find the thread and pull you back onto your path.
Personal Investment
Youth Ownership
It’s a foundation of our system that we believe in you and your capabilities. It’s important for you to feel control and ownership over your life. That’s why we don’t just teach you – we involve you.
Many of the graduates of CCYO programs mention the importance of having additional responsibilities while enrolled in the program. The challenges and trust of being given these responsibilities can empower you to push further and achieve more.
Other interviewees mentioned that despite a learning disability, an addiction or a criminal record, CCYO welcomed them, encouraged them, and expected them to take on responsibilities, even though their lived experience had told them they’d never be given that kind of trust.
But in our experience, trust given becomes trust returned.
We trust you.
Found family
Belonging & Acceptance
We want you to feel as though you belong. We will accept you for who you are now – regardless of who you used to be, or even who you wish you could be in the future. It’s quite telling of the challenges in our community that so many of our graduates mention how life changing this feeling was.
You already know that a person can’t focus on learning if you aren’t convinced that you are safe. But once you feel accepted – once you know that you aren’t being judged – you can begin to relax your instincts and turn your focus to building new skills.
Aside from the obvious employment skills, the top skills our participants said they gained were confidence and the ability to connect with friends and leaders in a meaningful way. And it turns out that the feeling of belonging can be difficult to put into words. One participant could only tear up at the thought of the cohesiveness of the group and the friendships built up over time, while another interviewee said “truthfully, it’s hard to explain, because we all kind of stuck together.”
You might come in alone, but you won’t leave lonely.
Gratitude
Giving Back
Our favourite part of providing this programming is how, once you’ve found yourself and your place in the world, you tend to pay it forward into the community.
Often, we see participants donating time or resources right here at CCYO, getting their families involved, volunteering, dropping in randomly to offer help, or even just spreading the word via social media.
We are humbled, but not surprised, that our youth is this public-spirited and altruistic. The extent to which you have given back is simply proof to us that you had it in you all along.
