11 reasons you don’t want to miss it!

What the adults say | What youth say

Letter from a youth worker

I have had the professional and personal blessings of partnering with the Students Commission (SC) for the past 10 months. As a result of this partnership I was recently invited to attend my first SC conference and I now sit mooning like the newly converted. I work at Covenant House Toronto, where I am the Life Skills Coordinator for our transitional housing project and my role at the conference was to provide support and crisis intervention to any of the youth who attended this year’s event. I was privileged to see behind the scenes and to also experience the event with fresh eyes.

In my 11 years working of in the social services industry, I have yet to see similarly outstanding outcomes as those that the Students Commission produces. I wish to share my thoughts on the event itself, the Student Commission and its exceptional staff. I hope that this letter reaches all of those who were involved in the long and arduous planning and pulling off of this year’s Student Commission.

My positive impressions began when I witnessed the young men with whom I work, planning months in advance to seek and secure their attendance funding. They clearly wanted to attend. This was the first indicator of success and engagement – the enthusiasm and desire to participate. Even greater testament was that many of these people were return delegates.

Once arriving in Kemptville we were welcomed by a group of hearing impaired delegates, who through their interpreters provided information and greetings. This inclusion of all delegates set the tone for the entire week; where youth from all corners of Canada (French-Canada, First Nations, the Far North, rural and urban) were embraced and celebrated.

At the Opening Ceremony, a ripple of energy moved through the room; you felt as if something special was about to happen and that you were going to be a part of it. This feeling continued throughout the week, even as stress mounted and energy sagged as the young people worked to complete their final workshops.

Throughout the week the adults took a back seat. The young adults – delegates, facilitators had the reins. They appeared un-tethered and buoyed by (for many) this new sense of freedom and trust. Dignity, Respect and Value were understood; nobody had to earn these ideals, it was just taken for granted that everybody inherently deserved them. I suspect that for many of the young people these may have been foreign concepts, but ones that they quickly embraced and fed upon.

These seemingly uncomplicated considerations helped to create an environment of safety and security; a space where the youth were allowed to behave bravely. The workshops that they created over the seven-day period were remarkable. They were infused by the passion of the participants. The final day in Ottawa, where the youth presented their hard work was a Himalayan peak for some and a feather in the cap for others.

This haven also provided emotional opportunities for some of the participants. The aptly themed conference – Go Mental Get Physical! – prompted some delegates to examine their own lives and to begin the process of achieving peace and wellness. I was awed by the risk that the youth took time and time again. By acknowledging their on-going sadness, concerns with their own mental health or the pain and abuse that permeates their communities and families – these young adults were taking control of their lives.

Many of these delegates will return. I pray that their communities and supporting agencies continue to provide them with the financial assistance necessary for this to occur. I believe that they will continue to engage if they are supported through the process – financially and emotionally.

The Students Commission and its staff know all this. I think it’s why they continue to do it. I actually asked one younger member of staff, how he could continue to work without sleep, with the stress and with the complaints. He replied, "Have you seen the looks on their faces?" - I don’t think he was feigning melodrama, he really believed in this, in them. I also don’t think that he’d be the only one to respond that way.

I’ve obviously been touched. I got it on me and I can’t wash it off. This youth engagement stuff. Empowerment and Respect. I’d like to bottle it and take it back to my agency. I’ll continue to partner with the SC and hopefully over time both they and the young people they engage will help make me a better person and the work I do much more valuable than it already is.

Julie

	“SC is the best!!” “It Rocked!”	"This was an awesome, life-changing experience that I will never forget. Thanks to everyone."
	“This conference had taught me a very valuable lesson. In how I can neglect any drug that comes my way because life is much better without them!”	“As for me, I just found out this morning that I'm being nominated for the "2004 Saskatchewan First Nations Circle of Honour Award". I never would've been eligible if not for my work with the Students Commission.” - Danielle
	“SIMPLE WORDS! I'M COMING BACK!”	“I had an amazing time ... I met new people, gained new insight. I don't want to go home!”
	“This conference made me realize a lot of things that I've been missing in life. A lot of youth and adults inspired me and I'm ready to change the world!” “P.S. I really wish to come back” “P.P.S. I think we need just a couple of more days for the workshops.”
	“I find it hard to put into words the impact that the experience over the weekend made for me and the rest of the Esteem Team. I also find it difficult to express our gratitude in being part of such a powerful experience for us as an organization, but also for us as individuals! From talking with many of our team members, we are all at a loss for how to organize the tide of emotions that is still flowing over us now that we're back at home. On behalf of the Esteem Team, thank you for the opportunity for us to grow and learn with you and with the group of truly amazing young people that you connected us with. We have been forever changed. Thank you all, Shannon”