Success story of the month
Immigrant and Refugee Children’s Rights Flash mob by Parkdale Youth
On Friday Nov, 20th 2011, 25 youth came out and participated in a flash mob to support Immigrant and Refugee Children’s Rights. The flash mob was organized by youth participants of our newcomer youth program. Many community members received information and showed their support by signing petitions.
Enjoy the flash mob video in our Youth Media Project Parkdale channel here, http://vimeo.com/36496276
To learn more about the national campaign and watch other flash mobs across Canada, visit Canadian Council of Refugees site here, http://ccrweb.ca/en/youthrights/flash-mob
YOUTH MEDIA PROJECT PARKDALE exists to share the success of youth-focused projects initiated and supported by our newcomer youth leadership group, PNYC (Pardale Newcomer Youth Committee), enjoy all our videos online at,
Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/ympp
Youtube: www.youtube.com/YMPParkdale
Youth Creative Spot
Art Expressions Part 1 by participants of Youth Language Skills Development Program held on Wednesdays (4:30 to 6 pm) - refer to Calendar for Details
Literature
Embracing Fear
- by T. Namsel
I was walking on the deck of the swimming pool in Parkdale Recreational Centre with the rest of my swimming class. We were going to have a diving test in order to pass Ultra 6 level. There were other classes practicing things like front crawl and back crawl. The mood among us was tense, but I felt both tense and excited that I was about to take my first diving test. My legs felt like lead, unable to move, yet I managed to keep walking towards the deep end.
The nearer I got to the deep end the higher the tension grew. The first brave guy to go up was Jacob and he walked up the diving ledge without any sign of fear. “ You’re next, Tenzin !” said my swimming teacher, Mr. Jalhand. As I started up the short diving ledge, I almost felt like I saw a fearful monster waiting to grab me in it’s claws. Time stopped, my heart started thumping like a drum, the moment of reckoning was upon me. I dived with my hands stretched in front and my legs as straight as possible hitting the water with just a single pierce without a “slap!!” in the background as I had done many times in my previous practices. My stomach didn’t hit the water this time which saved me from feeling that uncomfortable pain called a “belly flop”. The water embraced me as I went down as deep as possible without kicking my legs. My feet touched the floor, I picked up the brick and started swimming upwards.
Now came the hard part, I kicked with all my strength; it was a tiring task. It felt like I was being pulled down by that fearful monster, “NO!” I thought, “ I’M GOING TO SURVIVE!!!!” With that will and anger, I kicked like never before reaching up to the surface. Everyone cheered “ Yeah Tenzin, you the man. How did you do that? You will become a lifeguard in no time ”. All this filled me with pride and happiness in my victory against that fearful monster. I dropped the brick on the deck floor, with a smile, I walked to the bench.
The irony was that I didn’t expect to overcome my fear and pass the test. It seemed so long yet it all happened within five minutes. The amazing part was how that same fear within me was replaced by a sense of joy and achievement . How ironic that the monstrous fear that I felt was my enemy somehow pushed me towards attaining my victory. This was one of the most memorable and unexpected outcomes that I had in swimming.
December in Review by Kalsang
In December,
Newcomer Youth Program ran successfully with the services provided to youth
clients through assistance & referrals on settlement issues including the
weekly sessions on language and tutoring. The highlights of the month were the holiday
gift making workshop and year-end youth party.
Newcomer Youth Language Skills Development - Wednesdays
The youth continued with a session on Confidence II where they worked with their peers in drawing each other’s three happy and unhappy things to identify some basic factors in building confidence by focusing on positive things. Some of the other activities they covered included – a quick way to build self esteem......Read more here.
Newcomer Youth Language Skills Development - Wednesdays
The youth continued with a session on Confidence II where they worked with their peers in drawing each other’s three happy and unhappy things to identify some basic factors in building confidence by focusing on positive things. Some of the other activities they covered included – a quick way to build self esteem......Read more here.
CALENDAR: Newcomer Youth Program's Weekly Schedule
Opportunity
Win a Free Movie Ticket!
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Check OutFree Dental Care for Youth!
Youth under 17?Toronto Public Health offers free and low cost dental services in our clinics. We also work with many community health centres,community agencies and private dentists throughout the city to make sure you get the treatment you need.
Can everyone get free dental care? We offer dental services to eligible children and youth (0-17 years),adults enrolled in selected Toronto Public Health programs, andseniors (65 years and older). http://www.toronto.ca/health/dental/free_dental_care.htm over 17 and need Dental Care?
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© Copyright 2010 - 2012: Newcomer Youth Program of PIA/PCIC partnership. All rights reserved.
Managing Editor: Kalsang Dolma (Youth Settlement Counselor & Project Manager)
Youth Editorial Board: (April 2011 to March 2012)
Youth Editorial Board: (April 2011 to March 2012)
- Karma Gyatso
- Tsewang Dhargyal
- Tenzin Thabkhae
- Dudoul Tenzin
- Rigden Lhawang
- Vinothan Sarvananthan
- Abisarikka Pillaiyinar
- Tenzin Choeyang