Trellis' Youth Group Programming

Trellis Society is a Calgary-based social services agency that works with people of all ages and backgrounds to overcome barriers and reach their full potential. They improve access to resources, develop family and community supports and help people build their capacity to deal with life’s challenges. Trellis’ offerings make up a holistic system of care that is designed to wrap supports around people, families, and communities, with the goal of establishing a critical foundation for generational change.

Youth Group Programming offers a safe, welcoming place for youth to come after school, make friends, and participate in activities that encourage learning and discovery, health and wellbeing, physical literacy, creative expression, leadership development, and a positive connection to community and family.

The Youth Programming Team allows youth to get support from university students with their academic work, while also providing a space to build mentorship relationships, to help support youth in their post-secondary education journeys. This can include helping youth decide on programs, support with eh application process, and overall post-secondary mentorship.

Who?

Any Bachelor of Education Student

What?

An opportunity to provide Trellis youth, experiencing multiple barriers, the opportunity to access tutoring services to support their academic success and mentorship to help prepare for post-secondary education.

When?

Mondays – Fridays

2 hours between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM (exact time will depend on the location).

Once pre-service teachers are provided an orientation, we will ask them to sign-up for the days(s) that work best for them.

Where?

We will offer the program at multiple locations:

Bowness Club
Genesis Centre
Pineridge Hub
Online (if possible)

What's Involved

Pre-service teachers will attend a 2-hour orientation in October. The orientation session is intended to introduce participants to Trellis Society and the TEAM program. It will also include information on on-site contacts for each location as well as opportunities for additional learning through Trellis workshops and trainings.
Pre-service teachers commit to attending at least once a week at one of the three locations for 2 hours. There is potential participation at other Trellis workshops and trainings for additional hours.
Activities during sessions may include:
- Assisting youth with their homework and other assignments. This will occur in a group setting and on a drop-in basis to support youth in the best possible way.
- Helping youth learn more about pursuing post-secondary education through mentorship (i.e., researching institutions, deciding on a program, helping with the application process, etc.).

Requirements

Pre-service teachers need a current Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (issued within the last 6 months). Students who do not already have a police check should begin this process at their local police station as soon as possible, as police checks often take 4-6 weeks to process.
Students placed with Trellis Society also require a Child Intervention Check issued by Alberta Human Services within the last 6 months. While this is not necessary to begin the program, it is something that will need to occur as soon as possible. More information will be provided at the orientation session.
Optional certifications include First Aid and CPR, ASIST, or Mental Health First Aid.
Experience in various school subjects is an asset.

Apply a variety of leadership strategies to develop meaningful relationships with the program and its participants
Apply a variety of mentorship strategies to support mentees’ personal, social, and academic goals
Examine a variety of approaches to teaching and learning in non-traditional educational settings
Examine how teaching and learning take place in other contexts
Examine the diverse ways children and youth experience and express knowledge, actions, and identities
Gain experience working with youth in a small group setting
Model positive behaviour for children, youth, teachers, and parents

Werklund Dates and Times

FALL 2023 (Application is now closed.)

Werklund Fall 2023 Wrap-Up Session: Friday, December 8, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Fall 2023 Placements End: mid-December

WINTER 2024

Winter 2024 application will open on November 20, 2024.
Werklund Winter 2024 Orientation: Monday, December 11, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Winter 2024 Placements Start: early January (program dependent)
Werklund Winter 2024 Check-In Session: Monday, January 29 at
- 9:30 am - 10:30 am (in-person) or
- 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Zoom)
Werklund Winter 2024 Wrap-Up Session: Tuesday, March 12, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Winter 2024 Placements End: mid-March (program dependent)

Youth Group Programming Dates and Times

Orientation Session: Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 4:30 pm to 6 pm, online

Sessions will take place throughout the week, Mondays-Fridays at various locations. All sessions will be held between 4:00 and 8:00 PM (times will differ depending on the location).
Stability and predictability are hallmarks of trauma informed practice when working with children and youth. We strive to provide this for the youth we serve at Trellis and therefore, encourage students to continue with the program for both the Fall and Winter semesters.
The program time commitment is 2 hours approximately once a week (with the potential for additional days if pre-service teachers have the capacity).

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.