AWCS CULTURE, GUIDELINES, AND YOUR YOUTH VOICE

OUR CULTURE
We lift each other up and help each other out. No matter what the age or stage, all of us are on a creative journey. We are peers. Our youth culture was put into place over the first few meetings of our existence, and through careful monitoring and vigilance, we have been able to maintain this through our continued growth. Please help us hold it in place for future youth and share it with others
 
AWCS YOUTH PROGRAM GUIDELINES
Program Expectations apply to youth in our program, guardians/parents, and instructors/ mentors/volunteers/staff.

1. Treat others with respect and kindness. We’re all friends here, or soon will be. We must protect and care for each other. Lift each other up and support each other.
2. Youth must actually WANT to attend our programming. Instructors/mentors/volunteers will never be expected to use their very limited time or resources to soothe extremely anxious or unwilling children. The group comes before the individual.
3. Listen to each other. Everyone has the right to have their ideas heard. We create a space where sharing is not met with the intent to belittle or bully.
4. If there is an issue between youth, working with the instructors, mentors, or the Youth Program Director to find a solution makes us stronger. Youth are also able to go to the Youth Liaison, a Youth Council Member, or the Youth Program Director if they feel they aren’t getting the answers or solution they need. Guardians/parents, and instructors/ mentors/volunteers can go to the Youth Program Director, and if still unsatisfied, the AWCS Executive Director.
5. Youth require the following skills to participate in any and all AWCS Youth Programming.
   • Listen and follow basic instructions without argument (come here, do this, please listen, please walk).
   • Be engaged in the programming and to help others to be engaged.
   • Work well with others — cooperation and willingness to participate in a group environment is at the core of our program
   • Able to communicate in a respectful way with both staff and fellow participants.

PLEASE NOTE: Our instructors are not trained in behavioural therapy and will not be asked to accommodate children without the above skills.

1. Be respectful to the people in the AWCS, the larger arts community of cSpace, and the facility and items within.
2. Set up, clean up, and maintain the space.,
3. Create a safe place for everyone to be themselves. Neurodiversity, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, physical diversity, and more are what make us who we are. By accepting each other now, we can grow into our best selves. Therefore, we will always do our best to take into account each other’s needs and use proper pronouns.
4. And finally, use the skills we learn here, with kind intent, to take over the world and do good.

 
CONSEQUENCES OF BREAKING THE YOUTH PROGRAM GUIDELINES
Depending on the seriousness of the behaviour, the participant will be allocated one or more of the following:
•    A warning (we only give out two total - so keep this in mind)
•    Be sent home for the night
•    Be sent home for the remainder of the semester (no refund) *
•    Be banned from attending all AWCS programming for a set time*
*Please note that if the issue is created by a Guardian, the youth or youths will endure the consequences of their Guardian’s actions.,
 
YOUR VOICE
Youth have a voice and share knowledge through teaching, mentoring, volunteering, or joining the Youth Council and directing our programming from the inside.
 
YOUTH LIAISON
The Youth Liaison is the official intermediary between the youth and the adults, taking your thoughts, ideas, and concerns to the Youth Council and Youth Program Director. This Year’s Youth Liaison is Deia Trudel. You can contact her by writing to [email protected] and addressing it to the Youth Liaison.

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