Community Support for YouthLink Rolls In

Summer 2015
In this issue:
Community Support for
YouthLink Rolls In
Community Suppor t for
YouthLink Rolls In
Triple P Parenting Groups Score
High with Parents
Youth Suicide Prevention Plan
Now Complete
Measuring YouthLink Client
Satisfaction
Get Involved!
Buy a ticket to
and support services for
Scarborough youth.
~
Tickets available at
416-967-1773 ext. 2 or visit
Blueslink.ca
C anadi an It al i an B u s i ne s s P r o f e s s i o n a l
L adi e s ’ A u xi l i ar y H o s t s F i r s t 5 K Wa l k
H
undreds of participants donned
their walking and running shoes
for YouthLink’s first charitable walk
held Sunday, May 3. Organized
by the Canadian Italian Business
Professional Association Ladies’
Auxiliary, the 5K walk attracted
supporters of all ages. They started
out at Bambury Community Centre
and made a 5K trek through the
neighbourhood, raising a grand total
of $16,000. YouthLink’s work with
young women at risk sparked the
Auxiliary’s support.
MLS E F o u ndat i o n P r e s e nt s To r o nt o R a p to rs
C o m m u ni t y A c t i o n G r ant
Y
outhLink was the first recipient of a $50,000 Toronto Raptors Community
Action Grant for its Triple-Double program, which combines five-on-five
basketball, literacy and numeracy to increase youth physical activity and
improve academic success. Following a cheque presentation May 26, Raptors
basketball development coaches hosted a clinic for youth in the program.
Limited tickets are available
for $80 each or 10 for $700.00.
DONATE NOW!
youthlink.ca
Pictured with YouthLink staff and youth, MLSE Foundation Chair Aris Kaplanis was also joined by Toronto Raptors Basketball
Development Consultant, Community Ambassador and Scarborough native, Jamaal Magloire and Just Energy Vice President of
Marketing Alan Shulman.
Triple P Parenting Groups Score High with Parents
R
esults from a recent survey of parents taking
part in YouthLink’s Triple P Parenting Group
demonstrate the Group is having significant
positive effects. In the winter session of this awardwinning, evidence-informed program, parents were
surveyed in the first and last group meetings to
measure changes in how they parented their teens,
whose average age was 14.5, and almost 80% of
whom were female.
Scores demonstrated a 37% decrease in conflict
behaviour between parents and youth. Parental
depression, which often accompanies extended
parent-child conflict, also improved with 51% of
parents feeling less depressed at the end of the
group. The 25% of parents who were most severely
depressed were only mildly depressed by the end
of the groups.
Similarly, parental anxiety, which can be a
debilitating side effect of parent-child conflict,
decreased by 35% by the end of the group. The
most severely anxious parents at the beginning of
the group sessions were in the low moderate range
for anxiety by the end.
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Parental stress has a particularly negative effect
on parental resilience and the ability to cope
with day-to-day parenting issues. Stress levels of
parents in the groups decreased by 35% by the last
session and parents who, in the first group session,
indicated that they were under severe stress, were
only mildly stressed by the end.
Overly permissive and authoritarian disciplinary
techniques were typical parenting styles at the
beginning of the sessions. By the last session,
permissive parenting had improved by 13% and
authoritarian approaches had decreased by 37%.
Severe inter-parental conflict was identified
as a significant issue by most group participants.
However, over the course of the sessions, the
intensity of this conflict decreased by 48%. Parental
ability to cooperate and work together improved
by 19%. Similarly, the quality of the relationships
between parents improved over the course of the
groups by 16%.
Triple P will resume in the fall of 2015 with
registration taking place over the summer months.
YouthLink Connector Summer 2015
Measuring YouthLink Client Satisfaction
New software that measures
client satisfaction with YouthLink
programs is now being tested to
positive feedback. This tool will
help staff ensure clients receive
the support they seek through
YouthLink programs. This software
was developed thanks to funding
from Ministry of Children and
Youth Services. It includes a survey
for parents and youth to tell us how
we are doing, and website pages
in English, French, Tamil, Hindi,
Spanish and Chinese. Fourteen
agencies across Toronto are
participating in the initial release.
Youth Suicide Prevention Plan Now Complete
The Youth Suicide Prevention Plan
reported on in the Spring 2015 issue
of Connector is now complete and has
been sent to participating agencies
and youth for feedback. The report
is part of a Comprehensive Mental
Health and Addictions Strategy of
Ontario’s youth suicide prevention
plan designed to help communities
better respond to young people in
crisis. Thanks to YouthLink staff, The
Etobicoke Children’s Centre and
Deborah Goodman, Violeta Dubov,
Shanelle Henry, Patricia Appleton,
and Sarah Holden of the Child
Welfare Institute who prepared the
literature review and compiled the
report.
YouthLink Connector Summer 2015
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Community Support for YouthLink Rolls In continued...
Schola r sh ip W in n er s P i c ke d f o r M y F i r s t G u i t ar P r o gr am
M
arianno Vegas was one of 11 youth to receive a 2015 scholarship
from YouthLink’s My First Guitar Program. Pictured here with Steve
Worrall from 4 the Music, Marianno looks primed for the 10 guitar
lessons he will receive under Steve’s tutelage. In a wonderful partnership
formed in 2014, YouthLink manages the scholarship program and the
Tyler McGill Memorial Benefit Concert funds the guitars and lessons for
each recipient. Tyler McGill died in an act of violence in the summer
of 2007 at the age of 22. The Benefit Concert celebrates his life and
his love of music, and aims to make a positive contribution to help stop
the violence. To date the Benefit has raised over $30,000 to support
programs for “at-risk” youth.
Marianno Vegas and Steve Worall
Suppor t ive T ur n out f or C hi l dr e n’ s M e nt al H e al t h We e k E v en t
T
here was tremendous community support for our Youth Mental Health
event held May 6, featuring Dr. Peter Szatmari, Chief of the Child and
Youth Mental Health Collaborative between CAMH, the Hospital for Sick
Children and the University of Toronto. Dr. Szatmari shared important
insights on the factors making youth mental health such a present day
concern. As part of this event, YouthLink recognized funders including
long-time supporters Donway Ford/Lincoln and Royal Bank of Canada.
Also recognized was the team of Daniel Brum of Group M, Ari Ojansivu
from Google and creative writer Steve Koch, who, with the help of
producers, directors, technicians and many others, produced the Let us
Help You video. The video was officially launched at the event.
M any Ye a r s of Givin g f r om
K i ngsway- La mb t on Un it ed Ch u r c h
P
art of the mission of Kingsway-Lambton United Church
is to support the charitable work of organizations in
its community and beyond. Proceeds from the church’s
many special events, including an outstanding art sale,
has benefitted YouthLink over many years.
Ne w V i de o E nc o u r age s Yo u th
to Seek Help
T
hanks to the dedication of the superb team of Brum,
Ojansivu and Koch, mentioned above, YouthLink’s
newest video reaches out to youth in crisis, encouraging
them to seek help for whatever challenges they might
be facing. Take a look at www.letushelpyou.ca.
Stay connected. Follow us on
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L to R: Paul Leannerd, Donway Ford/Lincoln; Tina Campbell, Royal
Bank of Canada (RBC); Vaheeda Visram, RBC; Karl Smith, YouthLink
Board Member; Matthew Fisher, Donway Ford/Lincoln
YouthLink Main Office:
747 Warden Ave.
Toronto, Ontario M1L 4A8
Tel.: 416-967-1773 Fax: 416-967-7515
info@youthlink.ca
www.youthlink.ca
YouthLink Connector Summer 2015