Safe Harbour Youth Ambassador (SHYA)

“Active, friendly, high pace, knowledgeable, inspiring, purpose” (SHYA participant)
Diversity leadership training for youth (14-20 yrs.) in July and October 2008.
Learn how to lead anti-racism and diversity games and trainings.
Once trained, you will go in groups of 3-4 teens supported by a mentor into the community
and provide workshops for children and teens.

We will explore together:
• our differences
• how to standing up for diversity
• how to respond effectively to racism, discrimination and bullying
• how to seek a Safe Harbour or safe adult when needed

Comments from participants at the first Youth Ambassador training – “What I liked most…”

“the inclusiveness, and how everyone was involved.”

“It makes you think about what people say and shows you ways to stick up.”

“I like how you guys understand our problems :-)”

“These have been wonderful seminars and they have given me the public speaking skills I was looking for. Confidence boosting!”

“Great atmosphere, Activities that encouraged risk taking in a comfortable way.”

Safe Harbour Youth Ambassador (SHYA) is the youth component of the BC-wide Safe Harbour program, which is coordinated by the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA). The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria is the SHYA community organizer in Victoria. The current ICA Youth Ambassador program is funded by BC Anti-Racism and Multicultural program (BCAMP).

Lots more info including a youth portal and pictures at http://youthambassador.ca

Please contact us if you want to become a Youth Ambassador or if you want to invite Youth Ambassadors to provide diversity workshops to children and youth in your school, organization or community.

Youth Buddies on Harbour Ferry

The Youth Buddy Program helps to bridge the initial and often quite lonely time of a youth from another country who has moved to Canada. The Youth Buddy Program offers a win-win situation, as the newcomer youth makes a local friend, gets support and lots of youth-relevant information, while the Youth Buddy gains a friend from another country, learns about another culture and develops leadership skills. The local and the newcomer youth will meet a minimum of five times over a 3 month period and will participate in the monthly Youth Buddy get-togethers at ICA.

Newcomer youth:
• Between 12 – 18 years old
• Permanent resident or refugee youth

handout for newcomer youth

Youth Buddy:
• Between 12 – 20 years old
• Born in Canada or living here for more than 3 years
• Sociable, open-minded and creative
• Leadership and communication skills
• Knowledge of other language an asset

handout for youth buddy

Role of a Youth Buddy:
• Helping newcomer youth feel welcomed in Greater Victoria
• Showing interest in newcomer youth’s life, ideas, feelings etc.
• Sharing from your own life and offer friendship
• Providing information regarding the local youth reality (school, hobbies, family etc.)
• Making the YBP coordinator aware of any issues arising
For more information please contact Anna at youth@icavictoria.org or ph. (250) 388-4728 ext. 112

2. Culture – Multiculturalism
“Why can’t they be like normal people?”

3. Aboriginal Peoples
“Why do they get ‘special treatment’?”

4. Bullying
“They started it, so what does it have to do with me?”

5. Gender - Sexual Orientation
“That’s so gay, isn’t it?”

6. Religion – Spirituality
“How can they believe in something like that?”

7. Human Rights
Gain a glimpse into what living without human rights can look like.

8. Safe Harbour Youth Ambassador Training I

9. Safe Harbour Youth Ambassador Training II

10. Anti-racism & Diversity - Celebration & Action

We explored many facets of discrimination, racism
and hate and learned tools to make our world
more diverse and inclusive.

Join “Youth BYOB” on facebook and tell your friends about it: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2399396333

Youth BYOB was a joint project of the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS, www.vircs.org), the Canadian Red Cross Society, BC Coastal Region (CRC, www.redcross.ca) and the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria.

description of Youth BYOB project (PDF)

In 2007, the Victoria Police Department, the Greater Victoria School District 61 and the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria organized the 4-day Youth Combating Intolerance camp on Thetis Island.

62 middle and high school students had the chance to meet survivors and presenters with striking and amazing life stories, people full of commitment and hope. The youth learned through discussions, games, circles, reflection, role plays, forum theatre, video and many other activities. They left the camp with many new friends, lots of ideas and an action plan about how to make a difference in their schools and the world.

Farewell and T-shirt signing
at YCI camp