鈥淲e really challenge students in this class to take a broader view of social work 鈥� instead of working with individuals and families, we want them to consider the community鈥檚 needs,鈥� said NIC鈥檚 Human Services department co-chair, Kerri Lowey.
Young, strong, kind, and passionate about people in our community.
Those are just four of the characteristics 糖心vlog传媒Social Service diploma students are looking for when searching for nominees for second annual Comox Valley Youth Awards.
Courtenay Mayor Larry Jangula will announce the award recipients at the LINC Youth Centre Saturday, May 2 during BC Youth Week.
Everyone is invited to meet this year鈥檚 nominees, hear about their passions, and celebrate their contributions.
鈥淲e wanted to acknowledge youth who don鈥檛 often get a lot of recognition for their work, but who have demonstrated a real strength of character or resiliency this year,鈥� said student Tera Cooper, who helped organize the awards as a group project in her Community Development course at NIC. 鈥淭hey are the real unsung heroes of the community.鈥�
Of the 14 Comox Valley youth that were nominated, six will receive awards and one will be recognized for their outstanding volunteer work, acts of kindness, or contribution to the community.
The original idea was a project in last year鈥檚 Community Development course, which challenges Social Service diploma students to make a positive difference in the community.
鈥淲e really challenge students in this class to take a broader view of social work 鈥� instead of working with individuals and families, we want them to consider the community鈥檚 needs,鈥� said NIC鈥檚 Human Services department co-chair, Kerri Lowey. 鈥淲e ask them to find strengths in the community and develop grass-roots initiatives to support them.鈥�
It鈥檚 no surprise to her this year鈥檚 students wanted to establish the awards.
鈥淵outh generally don鈥檛 get awards unless they play sports or get good grades,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey wanted to reward youth for caring and showing strength and resilience 鈥� all values we support in social work.鈥�
Cooper and her classmates Tonya Edwards and Geordie Rutherford want the project to continue long after they graduate.
NIC鈥檚 Human Services department co-chair, Kerri Lowey works with her social service diploma students to facilitate the second annual Comox Valley Youth Awards.
鈥淲e need to find this project a home,鈥� said Cooper. 鈥淲e believe in its value and know everyone wants to support it, but we need long-term partners.鈥�
The City of Courtenay鈥檚 LINC Youth Centre and Youth Unlimited have been ardent supporters, helping to organize and facilitate this year鈥檚 awards. Engrave It donated an 18-year plaque, Affordable Custom Picture Framing donated certificate framing and matting, Thrifty Foods donated a smiley card to purchase snacks, and many generous sponsors have joined forces to support the project.
Awards to date include $50 糖心vlog传媒 gift certificates, City of Courtenay and CVRD youth recreation passes, bus passes, Laughing Oyster Bookshop gift certificates, as well as pizzas and burger gift certificates from Domino鈥檚 Pizza and A & W Restaurants.
For more information on the awards, or to help support the project, email cvcommunityyouthaward2015@gmail.com.
For information on NIC鈥檚 Social Service diploma, visit www.nic.bc.ca/communitycare.
Media Contact C: 250-207-6946 media@nic.bc.ca