THE YOUTH ISSUES COURSE
The Youth Issues Course provides youth workers and volunteers with a 7 session overview of some of the major challenges impacting teens. We’ll guide you toward recognizing the presence and impact of each issues with an eye toward building a repertoire of practical responses that reflect the heart of Christ.
TRAINING TOPICS
Knowing how to step into the challenges some young people encounter can feel overwhelming. Most Youth Workers aren’t trained counsellors, but seeing the waters rising around our youth compels us to move into their complicated worlds and help them navigate the way through. So what do we need to know to step in with support that is useful to the youth and fits our role in their life?
This course will provide a foundation for engagement with youth that includes understanding and skills for truly helpful support. It will not equip you to become a counsellor but instead will supply you with what you need to walk with confidence, competence and compassion into the challenges young people face.
The content will “bend” to the felt needs of the participants but topics we plan to explore over the span of the course include:
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Supporting vs Rescuing – Considering a Philosophy of Care
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Trauma and Resilience
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Mental Health (with a focus on stress, anxiety and depression)
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Self-Harm
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Online Sexual Exploitation
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Sexual Minority Youth
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Neurodivergence (with a focus on ADHD and Autism)
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Addictions
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Crisis Intervention and Suicide
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Being in Care/Understanding the Child Welfare System
The once-per-month class will include teaching, resource connections, skill development and guided interaction time. We will meet online on the second Wednesday of November, December, January, February, March, April and May from 9:00-11:30am Pacific Time. The cost is $180 for the entire 17.5 hours of course time and is available to YFC|Youth Unlimited staff and volunteers across the country.
DATES/TIMES
November 12
December 10
January 14
February 11
March 11
April 8
May 13
9:00am – 11:30am Pacific Time
12:00pm – 2:30pm Eastern Time
DETAILS
Cost
$180 per person
Location
Online – you will receive a link before the course starts
For more information contact iona@youthunlimited.com
REGISTRATION
Fill out the Registration Form below
“Self-initiated training often takes a back seat in the hustle and bustle of life and ministry, but signing up for this course made it easy to have it scheduled and planned out, I just had to show up ready to learn and grow. This course is a must for all newer staff. Hardcore, straight to the issues, being trained well on the job. A great way to learn and put into practice right from the get go.”
~Jack Wiebe, Morris Youth Unlimited
TRAINERS
JEN HUBBARD
Jen Hubbard has been invested in the lives of young people for over twenty-five years, working in drop-in centres, schools, and church settings. That work has evolved to include training and equipping youth ministry staff and volunteers, helping those who care for teens have tangible skills to invest well. Jen is an educator, coach, facilitator, and creator of training resources through Lifeteams School of Youth Outreach. She holds a Master's degree from Trinity Western University and lives in Surrey, BC, with her husband and three teenage sons.
IONA SNAIR
For the past 40 years, Iona Snair has been involved in the lives of vulnerable young people and the adults who care about them. Together with her husband Rob, Iona founded Lifeteams School of Youth Outreach with Vancouver Youth Unlimited 25 years ago, and they still run it today. Iona is a speaker and trainer, preparing volunteers, parents and professionals to enter into the difficult issues young people face. She holds a Master degree from Regent College in Vancouver and lives in Abbotsford, B.C.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
SID KOOP
Canadian Youth Workers Community -
Executive Director
Iona and Jen are veteran youth workers who have been involved in youth ministry for decades. They have loved, served and supported students and leaders in the most difficult circumstances. Their practical tools and resources will encourage and equip you, as parents, teachers or youth workers.
DENISA DYCK
Restorative Justice - Restorative Mentoring Program Coordinator
As a coordinator within the agency, I am always looking for meaningful ways to better equip our volunteer mentors so they stay informed about youth trends and feel confident and supported in their roles. Lifeteams has been exceptional in helping us achieve this. They consistently provide engaging, high-quality training led by knowledgeable and experienced facilitators, particularly in trauma-informed practice and suicide intervention. We have truly appreciated our partnership with Lifeteams.
NIKI LYNNE
Abbotsford Youth Commission - Team Lead
Lifeteams training has helped equip our Abbotsford Youth Commission youth workers with practical skills and a deeply relational approach that has genuinely transformed how they walk alongside young people in our youth drop-in centres. The blend of real-world experience and compassionate mentorship makes this training an invaluable investment for anyone committed to meaningful youth work in their community.
JOSH WIILLMS
Mennonite Church BC - Youth Director
Iona is an incredibly knowledgeable and approachable facilitator. Her seminar provided our youth ministry leaders with immediate, practical tools. If you are looking for a way to effectively resource your leaders, I cannot recommend Iona and the Lifeteams crew enough.
REGISTRATION
Fill out the form below to register. Please note that you will be redirected to our payment page after submitting the form.
Your registration will not be complete until we have received payment.
