Alternative Youth Programmes

BYTE - Bringing Youth Towards Equality

BYTE stands for the dynamic network of young Yukoners who are working hard to nurture a positive, healthy atmosphere where youth culture grows. Supported by the PAYY Coalition, Positive Action with Yukon Youth, a group of energetic youth decided to put together the fi rst Youth Plan to Take Over the World Conference in February 1999. It was such a huge success that the group reassembled in the spring to form their own non-profi t society - BYTE. Since the beginning, BYTE has been all about youth in every step of process and decision making. Working in partnership with a number of local businesses, government providers and fellow non-profi t groups, BYTE has become a leading advocate for youth programmes, issues and initiatives in the Yukon Territory.

To see a list of their programmes and services log on to BYTE's official web site: http://www.yukonyouth.com

BYTE's Headquarters is located at: 4141A 4th Street, Whitehorse, YT

Mailing address:
c/o Youth Directorate
Box 2703, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2C6
Tel: 867-667-7975
Fax: 867-393-6341
Email: bytenow@yukonyouth.com

First Nations Youth At Risk

First Nations Youth At Risk provides programmes and services for Aboriginal youth in communities across the country.

Contact Information:
Harvey McCue, FNYAR Coordinator
First Nations Youth At-Risk
RR3, Cornwall Island, Ontario
K6H 5R7
Tel: (613) 567-3080
E-mail: info@fnyar.ca
http://www.fnyar.ca/

iSisters

In January, 2004, iSisters Technology Mentoring Inc., a local Canadian Education Charity serving the Ottawa community, opened an onsite ICT (Information Communication Technology) centre at Tungasuvvingat Inuit. Their purpose was:

  • To provide technology learning opportunities for unemployed or underemployed Inuit women with a strong focus on acquiring employability skills
  • To provide a new Employment Support Program for TI that supports their mission which is to provide employment and training assistance
  • To encourage life long learning and empower women with more career opportunities through technological awareness

iSisters raised funds and solicited hardware and software donations in order to set up a six station classroom which provides learning opportunities for Inuit women (ages 18 - 35). They then implemented a 12 module, technology mentoring programme based on the needs and interests of the learners and clients. The weekly classes focused on such topics as career planning, skills requirements, job search, and resume writing. iSisters successfully implemented the first 12 week programme but the long-term goal is for TI to take ownership of the programme with virtual support from iSisters.

Up to 40 unemployed or underemployed Inuit women benefi t directly from the Tuesday morning onsite Women's technology mentoring programme in the first year. Other employment and technology classes are now offered and are available to all TI community members and staff.

The following software is used at TI:
All The Right Type - Typing Tutor
TI uses this program to teach keyboarding skills. It can be downloaded free of charge from the New Brunswick Department of Education.
http://www.gnb.ca/0000/irrp/downloads-e.asp

Reading & Writing for Life
Reading and Writing For Life is designed to improve adult literacy skills. Tutorials and practice are accompanied by immediate feedback and complemented by self-assessment instruments. The Reading section focuses on skills and strategies that adults require to access informational, graphical and literary texts. A section on understanding questions is designed for adults who intend to pursue further formal education. The writing section focuses on the composition and proofreading of news reports, information paragraphs, summaries, opinion pieces, correspondence (memos and letters), and various forms of writing related to employment.

For more information visit: http://www.nectar.ca