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Twelve volunteer youth (18-29) are trained every fall to provide information and support services to their peers.
Training topics include: mental health, drugs and alcohol, healthy sexuality, listening and questioning skills, crisis intervention, and relationship violence.
The training is 4 hours per week over five weeks. Once training is complete, participants receive a nationally recognized certificate in Peer Education. Like the Youth Outreach Workers, Peer Educators provide information, support, empathy and referrals. These volunteers give 5 hours a week to the program under the supervision of our senior Youth Outreach Worker.
Click here for Peer Educator program poster.
Peer Educator Program Update (Jan.29, 2008):
This past fall 11 dedicated Whistler young adults took part in an intense training program in preparation for becoming Peer Educators. The Peer Educator Program is an extension of the services provided by Whistler Youth Outreach Workers Claire Mozes and Davin Moore. One of the main objectives is to provide young adults with the tools and skills necessary to support their peers when faced with challenges around drugs and alcohol, relationships, housing, employment, mental health, hunger and healthy sexuality.
Peer Educators volunteer a minimum of 2-5 hours per week connecting with peers in areas frequented by young adults. The volunteers also coordinate a large-scale workshop for peers focusing on healthy sexuality and drug and alcohol education. The “Trivial Pursuit of Sex and Drugs” has run successfully for the past 8 years and we’re looking forward to another year of getting important info out to the young adults in Whistler. This year the event will be held February 27th at 18 Below and is generously supported by Whistler Blackcomb HOUSE advisor program.
Another initiative that the volunteer Peer Educators take part in is Youth Net. Youth Net is a mental health promotion and early intervention program, run by youth, for youth. Youth Net focus groups are led by the Peer Educators at Whistler Secondary for grade 10 students. They offer safe, non-judgmental places for students to speak openly about issues that affect them. Focus group leaders help youth discuss what causes them stress, what changes they would like to see, where they can go for support, and how to problem solve around difficult situations. Ideas, thoughts, and feelings that come up in the group are collected so that we can make the current system better for youth in our community. With kind support from the Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation, the program strives to:
- Increase communication and awareness around youth and mental health issues and decrease stigma.
- Help youth connect with each other and their community.
- Assist in early intervention for mental health problems
- Help youth connect with a friendly safety net of youth-friendly professionals.
- Empower youth to help make life better for themselves and their peers.
- Develop plans to make mental health services more “youth friendly”, accessible, and empowering.
So, a BIG thank you to our volunteers this year: Aaron, Lindsay, Raylene, Sheenah, Tara P., Tara S., Katy, Naomi, Nathan, Iona, and Joe!
For more information please feel free to contact Claire Mozes, Community Youth Outreach Worker at 604.902-0670,
claire at mywcss.org
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