RMYC'S PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
The following is a summary of current programs run by the Sub-Committees:
YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING:
This is a youth-to-youth approach to create young leaders,
positive role models, and new officers to head youth
groups. A team of RMYC members from different racial and
cultural back-grounds runs the program at the Youth Centre
or in any community. The RMYC provides
field support after the training.
NATIVE ROLE MODELS:
A special program to create
young leaders among the First Nations. Potential leaders
learn First Aid, life-skills, self-esteem, organizing summer
camps, recreational activities and so forth. The trainees
are sponsored by their Bands and they develop a vision
and workplan to implement in their respective communities.
The training is done in Thunder Bay or on the reserve.
STAY IN SCHOOL INITIATIVES:
Each fall, the RMYC
co-ordinates Orientation Programs for students from remote
Northern communities, new immigrant and international (exchange)
students. Native students from small isolated communities get help
to adjust to life in the urban environment, make new friends,
and learn of the services available to enable them and to do
well in school. The students share experiences about staying
with "strangers" in boarding homes and survival skills for studying
in schools with large diverse populations quite different from
their home environment. The RMYC also promotes
an orientation for Grade Nine students to facilitate the transition
into secondary school.
STUDY GROUPS:
Part of the Stay-In-School campaign to
encourage students to provide peer support, help each other
with home-work, watch out for each other to improve school
attendance. Students can use the Youth Centre for mentoring, and
have access to computers. Tutors help them with assignments on
Tuesday evenings (official Study Group day) or at their convenience.
BUSINESS TRAINING AND USED CLOTHES FUNDRAISING PROJECT:
The RMYC runs a Crafts Store and Food Concession in
Victoriaville Mall for fundraising to train young entrepreneurs.
The craft store complements the sale of used clothes, books,
toys and other items that are shipped to youths who want to set up
second-hand shops in their communities. The project helps youths
to learn business skills while fundraising for their activities.
PICNICS, OUTINGS, DANCES AND SOCIALS:
Social functions are
a chance for youths to have fun and make friends. RMYC members
help to organize camping trips, picnics, dances, parties, etc.
Members can use the Youth Centre or the Training
residence for video nights, birthday parties, group meetings
or to plan their own events.
RECREATION AND SPORTS NIGHTS: The RMYC promotes recreation for fitness, good health and fun. The Council has access to school gyms and other facilities and youths are encouraged to plan and organize sports tournaments, games and other recreational activities.
VOLUNTEERING:
The RMYC encourages students to volunteer their
services. This is one way to develop and share talents and skills
with others while learning and gaining experience on the job.
Volunteering is an excellent way to get valuable experience, contacts
and references for future employment. The RMYC is
always looking for volunteers to organize youth events and
functions and for fundraising activities such as dances,
bingos, car-washes, side-walk sales, etc.
WORKSHOPS / FORUMS / SOCIAL ISSUES:
Youths are encouraged
to organize their own forums, workshops and meetings to
discuss issues of interest. Every two years, the RMYC brings
together the youths across the region to share ideas
and make recommendations. Sharing circles are encouraged
for intimate issues and to facilitate healing.
PEER MEDIATION AND TEEN COURTS:
Violence and crime are
common problems among the youth. The RMYC is proposing proactive
measures to deal with conflict and young offenders. We
feel that peer mediation and teen courts are alternative
method is worth trying.
THE ENVIRONMENT:
Many youths are concerned
about what we are doing to Mother Earth. Thus, the RMYC has
initiated a program on environmental awareness,
and to promote eco-tourism, conservation, recycling and living
in harmony with nature.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES:
The RMYC promotes wellness--mental,
physical and spiritual well-being. All the Council's
activities are alcohol and drug free. By adopting healthy
lifestyles, we can break the negative cycles
among the youth--the next generation.
CITIZENSHIP, MULTICULTURALISM, RACE RELATIONS:
The RMYC encourages the youth to organize events to celebrate
our diversity. The youth have identified race relations and national
unity as issues of concern. We promote observing our
special days to take pride in Canadian citizenship.
PUBLICITY, PROMOTION AND OUT-REACH:
The RMYC
needs all the positive publicity available to make more
youths aware of who we are, and what we do
in this vast region that covers nearly two-thirds of Ontario's
land mass. We publish the (Youth-in-Action Newsletter)
to share information, and we have a toll free number
(1-800-692-RMYC) for easy access.