CPS Youthlink room

Calgary Police Services

YouthLink

YouthLink

YouthLink Calgary is an independent charitable organization that operates in partnership with the Calgary Police Service to deliver relevant and meaningful content to Calgary youth and adults. Their mission is to empower grade six youth to make confident and positive choices surrounding some of the greatest challenges they face, such as healthy relationships, gangs, online safety, bullying, and substance abuse. Their programs engage visitors and focus on crime prevention, forensic science, and the Calgary Police Service’s history and current role in the community.

Their School Programming includes one day crime prevention and forensic science fieldtrips for Grade 6 students. Their Public Programming includes museum activities for visitors, birthday parties, youth group programs, summer and PD day camps, and special events. Their Police School Program is a 4-day program where grade 6 classes spend the week at YouthLink learning about and experiencing different areas of the Calgary Police Service.

YouthLink - One-Day Field Trips

Our primary placement opportunity is the one-day field trip program for grade 6 students, which could include delivering our crime prevention programming virtually as well, on occasion.

There may also be opportunities for students to have a placement opportunity in our police school and newcomers’ programs.

Who?

Up to six (6) Bachelor of Education students taking EDUC 450 in the Winter semester.

What?

Help with the one-day field trip program with grade 6 students (10 - 12 years old).

When?

Mondays to Thursdays, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

Where?

YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre, 5111 47 St. NE, Calgary.

YouthLink Logistics


What's Involved

Training for this program would consist of a one-day orientation to YouthLink and the program. This tranining will then follow with a progression of training in the program through observating, collaborating with YouthLink Educators, and building up to teaching more independently.

Duties

  • Students will be responsible for supporting the delivery of our grade six one-day school program, which focuses on crime prevention (gangs, healthy relationships, bullying, online safety, and drugs) and forensic science.
  • Students will also participate in providing feedback on our programs by connecting with teachers each day to create a meaningful field trip experience that supports the unique needs of each class, and will assist in collecting participation data and supporting program evaluation.
  • Students may also have opportunities to acquire some experience with lesson planning and presentation creation (in collaboration with our educators).

Requirements

For the Community Partner:

  1. A Calgary Police Services enhanced security clearance will be conducted for this position. Only this internal security clearance will be accepted for this position (i.e., previous police checks or vulnerable sector screenings are not accepted).
  2. This placement is conditional on volunteer compliance with YouthLink’s mandatory vaccination policy.


  • Develop stronger connections to the professional community and specific organizations
  • Examine how programs and educators create communities that are conducive to teaching and learning
  • Gain experience working with youth in a small group setting
  • Identify specific opportunities for you to contribute to program communities in a positive, professional manner
  • Model positive behaviour for children, youth, teachers, and parents

Werklund Dates and Times

FALL

Applications Open: September 1, 2023

Event #1 - Werklund Student Orientation: November 8, 2023, 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Applications Close: November 9, 2023

WINTER 

Event #2 - Prepare to Launch: January 11, 2024, 9:00 - 10:00 am

Event #3 - Strategies Workshop: February 1, 9:00 - 10:30 am

Event #4 - Wrap up and Reflect: February 29, 9:00 - 10:30 am

YouthLink Service Dates

Note: In total, pre-service teachers agree to commit to a minimum of 20 hours for their service-learning experience.


Making Connections

  • Throughout the semester, pre-service teachers will curate their volunteering experiences using a creative medium (e.g., photos, art, storyboarding, videos, etc.) that best reflects their experiences in the program. Your creative reflections will form part of a public showcase of Werklund student experiences later in the year.
  • Pre-service teachers will participate in 2 group meetings: one at the mid-point and another at the end of their placement (1 hour each). These group meetings provide pre-service teachers with opportunities to reflect on the community placement experience and to guide improvements for the program.

Applications for the Winter 2024 cohort of the Volunteering with Diverse Communities Program are now closed.