Virtual Café by YouthREX | Storying Youth Work | Activity

REX replied to the discussion Tell us how youth work has shaped you and what moments have stayed with you. You can post narratives, poems, songs, photos, anecdotes, quotes, or links, whatever best brings your experiences of youth work to life! in the forum Storying Youth Work

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 15:30:23 -0500

Reply to Tell us how youth work has shaped you and what moments have stayed with you. You can post narratives, poems, songs, photos, anecdotes, quotes, or links, whatever best brings your experiences of youth work to life!

As we invite you to share how youth work has shaped you, we’re highlighting findings from the Ontario Youth Sector Compass, a research project exploring the experiences of young people and youth workers across Ontario. We sought to understand what supports help young people thrive, and what youth workers need to do their jobs in healthy,…

Gary A replied to the discussion Tell us how youth work has shaped you and what moments have stayed with you. You can post narratives, poems, songs, photos, anecdotes, quotes, or links, whatever best brings your experiences of youth work to life! in the forum Storying Youth Work

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 04:01:36 -0400

The Anti-Hero’s Intervention

The air on the Finch West bus was thick with the humid promise of a Toronto summer evening in 2006. Our anti-hero stood near the rear exit, his gaze soft but steady as he watched a group of teenagers board at Jane Street. They moved as one organism, loud, kinetic, a jumble of nervous energy and bravado. One of them,…

REX replied to the discussion A moment I’ll never forget: What’s a moment in your work with young people that still lives in you, something that made you laugh, cry, pause or change direction. in the forum Storying Youth Work

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:01:55 -0400

Reply to A moment I’ll never forget: What’s a moment in your work with young people that still lives in you, something that made you laugh, cry, pause or change direction.

Caitlin 💛 , thank you for sharing it with us.
I love how you capture that mix of joy, community, and resilience, from the picnic in the rain to the makeshift photoshoot.
It’s such a powerful reminder of how youth work is about heart, creativity, and holding space for each other, even while we’re navigating our own journeys.
Your reflection…

REX replied to the discussion A moment I’ll never forget: What’s a moment in your work with young people that still lives in you, something that made you laugh, cry, pause or change direction. in the forum Storying Youth Work

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:00:18 -0400

Reply to A moment I’ll never forget: What’s a moment in your work with young people that still lives in you, something that made you laugh, cry, pause or change direction.

Mogbeyi 💛 Wow, thank you for sharing this.

The way you met him where he was, supported his voice, and worked with his family and school is so inspiring.

It really shows how patience and small, intentional steps can open up big possibilities for young people.

Stories like this remind us why this work matters and keep us grounded in what true…

mogbeyi replied to the discussion A moment I’ll never forget: What’s a moment in your work with young people that still lives in you, something that made you laugh, cry, pause or change direction. in the forum Storying Youth Work

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 13:53:15 -0400

Reply to A moment I’ll never forget: What’s a moment in your work with young people that still lives in you, something that made you laugh, cry, pause or change direction.

A moment I’ll never forget is when a young person transferred into my care at 18, and I began supporting him as his Primary Case Worker. When he first arrived, he relied mainly on gestures, so I respected that while gradually reintroducing PECs. Over time, he grew more confident, and the plan is to introduce more advanced means of communication…

REX posted an update in the group Storying Youth Work: As youth workers- how do you navigate care complex in such […]

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:26:12 -0400

As youth workers- how do you navigate care complex in such a profession that can be quite rigid and restrictive in terms of providing youth with adequate support?

REX posted an update in the group Storying Youth Work: Describe Youth Work in 5 words.

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:19:05 -0400

Describe Youth Work in 5 words.

Caitlin replied to the discussion A moment I’ll never forget: What’s a moment in your work with young people that still lives in you, something that made you laugh, cry, pause or change direction. in the forum Storying Youth Work

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:57:05 -0400

Reply to A moment I’ll never forget: What’s a moment in your work with young people that still lives in you, something that made you laugh, cry, pause or change direction.

I’ll never forget it! It was the summer before the COVID-19 pandemic, and I had just started as a Community Outreach Coordinator with Flaunt-It Movement. Back then, I hadn’t yet realized the impact this work would have on the trajectory of my life and my connection to Jane-Finch and Rexdale; instead, I worried about whether the team would like…

Kathe replied to the discussion “#YouthREXat10”: Share Your YouthREX Story! in the forum Storying Youth Work

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 20:15:39 -0400

Reply to “#YouthREXat10”: Share Your YouthREX Story!

❤❤❤

Kathe replied to the discussion “What I’ve learned from young people”: Tell us about a time when the words, actions or presence of a youth shifted your understanding or gave you a newfound perspective. in the forum Storying Youth Work

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 20:14:46 -0400

Reply to “What I’ve learned from young people”: Tell us about a time when the words, actions or presence of a youth shifted your understanding or gave you a newfound perspective.

I love these reflections, Maria, and I love revisiting this incredible piece ❤

And, yes, vulnerability is absolutely a strength!

Adrienne replied to the discussion “#YouthREXat10”: Share Your YouthREX Story! in the forum Storying Youth Work

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:25:30 -0400

Reply to “#YouthREXat10”: Share Your YouthREX Story!

Over the years I have learned so much from YouthREX webinars, resources, and online certificates. Of course it’s always a joy to see so many folks invested in youth wellbeing coming together for a meal and meaningful conversation – something YouthREX has facilitated countless times.

Lately I am often returning to learnings and reflections from…

youthrex.com

Supporting Youth Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis: Critical Understandings and Hopeful Practices - Youth Research and Evaluation eXchange

This webinar was hosted by YouthREX. HERE’S HOW THE HOSTS DESCRIBE THIS WEBINAR: Climate change is a crisis – an urgent political, social, economic, environmental, and existential issue. Youth wellbeing is uniquely impacted by this crisis, as young people have limited access to institutional … Continue reading

maria replied to the discussion “What I’ve learned from young people”: Tell us about a time when the words, actions or presence of a youth shifted your understanding or gave you a newfound perspective. in the forum Storying Youth Work

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:02:16 -0400

Reply to “What I’ve learned from young people”: Tell us about a time when the words, actions or presence of a youth shifted your understanding or gave you a newfound perspective.

I’ve had the privilege of working with YouthREX for the past four years, and during this time, I’ve learned so much from young people. One of the most important lessons they’ve taught me is that one of our greatest superpowers is the courage to speak up.

A moment that deeply resonated with me was during the YouthREX Teach-in, Resisting…

youthrex.com

Shahaddah Jack – "It's Time to Wake Up" - Youth Research and Evaluation eXchange

This video was produced by YouthREX. HERE’S HOW THE CREATORS DESCRIBE THIS VIDEO: Shahaddah Jack shared the timely and stimulating piece, “It’s Time to Wake Up,” during an online Teach-In hosted by YouthREX on December 7, 2023. Born and raised … Continue reading

Kathe replied to the discussion “#YouthREXat10”: Share Your YouthREX Story! in the forum Storying Youth Work

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 21:53:00 -0400

Reply to “#YouthREXat10”: Share Your YouthREX Story!

Thank YOU, Cyril — me too!

Cyril replied to the discussion “#YouthREXat10”: Share Your YouthREX Story! in the forum Storying Youth Work

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:37:16 -0400

Reply to “#YouthREXat10”: Share Your YouthREX Story!

Thank you for sharing this memory @Kathe .

I’m reminded of a short video clip I recorded after the workshop where Eric and Cassidy were discussing the realities of youth work. Critical approaches to youth work blend personal, professional and political spheres, but youth work is often misunderstood and underestimated. As a bit of a…

Kathe replied to the discussion Tell us how youth work has shaped you and what moments have stayed with you. You can post narratives, poems, songs, photos, anecdotes, quotes, or links, whatever best brings your experiences of youth work to life! in the forum Storying Youth Work

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:29:28 -0400

In This Is Youth Work: Voices from the Frontlines of Ontario’s Youth Sector, the YouthREX team showcased findings from seven focus groups with 58 frontline youth workers in five cities across Ontario.

Youth workers described having a professional identity tied to their personal identity because they identify with the young people they work with.…

Kathe replied to the discussion “#YouthREXat10”: Share Your YouthREX Story! in the forum Storying Youth Work

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 20:06:57 -0400

Reply to “#YouthREXat10”: Share Your YouthREX Story!

When I think back on my time with YouthREX, the Knowledge to Action (KtA) Exchange in 2018 really stands out, I think because it feels like such a great example of how the sector can come together to create spaces for care, connection, critical conversation, and collaboration.

I had only been with YouthREX for just over a year, so this event…