Spring Program Guide 2024

YOUTH

YOUTH

MEET JEFF ONE OF OUR YOUTH STAFF

1. How long have you been involved with Youth Services? I've been involved in Youth Services for around 10 years across 3 different municipalities - Maple Ridge, Coquitlam, and Port Coquitlam. I'm also a middle school teacher in Coquitlam. 2. What got you interested in working with young people in Maple Ridge? My first experiences working with youth were started through my interest in making a difference in the community I live in - which at the time was Port Coquitlam. Through my time working in other municipal Youth Services programs, I knew a variety of people who moved on to Maple Ridge and I heard great things about the program that is run out of the Greg Moore Youth Centre. I was initially attracted to the fact that they offer a completely youth dedicated space, which the vast majority of other municipalities have phased out of their programs. 3. What inspires you about the youth you work with? The youth that we work with are the most inspiring when they start to realize the things, they are capable of achieving. Participating in our programs gives them opportunities to develop leadership skills and experiences as well as work/job related experiences that they may have not had access to otherwise. I've seen youth go on to get scholarships, start initiatives in the community, and even come full circle and get hired as a staff member in Youth Services years later. 4. What’s your passion and how do you bring it to work? My passion is community building. My favorite times at the youth centre are when you can feel the energy in the room and see how connected the youth are to the centre as well as each other. I love being a part of the events we put on and creating a space that youth can feel like they are a part of. 5. What’s something the youth of Maple Ridge have taught you? No matter how tough or "hard" a youth may want you to think they are, kids just want to feel like they belong and are part of a community. Which is why youth centres are so important - we strive to provide exactly that. 6. If you could give one piece of advice to emerging adults and youth, what would it be? If you don't ask, the answer will always be no. YOUTH LEADERSHIP GROUP Do you want to get more involved in community initiatives? Join us! uPlan is a youth volunteer subcommittee of the Maple Ridge Youth Planning Table. The vision of uPlan is to actively engage and recognize the contributions of youth within our community. uPlan aims to promote youth voices on civic issues and community based initiatives that nurture the mental, social and physical health and wellbeing of youth in Maple Ridge.

& A Q

AGES 14Y - 22Y

SEND US an email

UPLANRM@gmail.com or connect with us on Instagram @UPLAM.RM for more information.

Register online at mapleridge.ca/program-registration or call 604-467-7422.

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