Children & Youth in Challenging Contexts (CYCC)
““I had witnessed Sera’s work with the NS provincial government and found the approach to connecting people was both personally and professionally transformative. I had also witnessed how she mentored other people to build capacity to host conversations. I immediately contacted Sera upon receiving the mandate to hold Network events across the country – to make sure we could make the most of a day together with Network members. Her inspiring and methodical leadership helped us develop a vision and principles which we continue to use until this day.”
Lisa Lachance Executive Director
Children and Youth in Challenging Contexts (CYCC) Network & Institute
Dalhousie University”
The Children and Youth in Challenging Contexts (CYCC) Network was established in 2012 to facilitate knowledge mobilization across sectors by promoting the use of research, best practices, and local knowledge in mental health programming for at-risk young people. In the Fall of 2013 they were launching a campaign to connect academics, policy makers, service providers, youth leaders, and others who are passionate about improving the mental health and well-being of at-risk children and youth in cities across Canada.
New Leaf was brought in at the early stages of the project and supported the team at CYCC to imagine an event series that furthered the mission of the CCYY and exemplified what they were learning about best practices in Youth Engagement. Sera worked with the National team to develop the Wisdom2Action branding and a core framework for the series that could be launched in collaboration with local hosts and adapted to meet local needs. We worked alongside CYCC staff and local Youth Organizations to co-host events in Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax and provided training to grow their leadership skills to host transformative learning and knowledge mobilization in these events and in their broader work. The series continues and you can learn more at here.