Happy New Year!
While the economy is still wreaking havoc with our budgets, we must continue to think and act creatively and collaboratively so that we can continue to provide the vital services that help youth and families. Here at the Youth Bureau, we've been working hard to prepare for an exciting year ahead.
We have put together a training calendar that identifies a majority of the professional development opportunities we'll be offering throughout the year, including our popular Free & Practical workshops, our Advancing Youth Development training for Frontline Youth Workers and the Youth Work Methods series of workshops. Of course, we may offer other training if the opportunity and need arise. Keep checking back for more information and keep an eye on the calendar feature of this website where all of our workshops and events will be posted.
We also anticipate getting the community more involved in our Ready By 21 Challenge to ensure that all youth are ready for college, work and life by the time they become 21 years old. This Challenge requires all sectors of the community to make youth a priority and provide the services, supports and opportunities young people need to be successful. To learn more about Ready By 21, click on the ready by 21 button on the left side of this page.
Here are just a few things that are coming up. I hope you'll find the time to join us!
Free & Practical Workshops: On January 28th, we will be offering our first Free & Practial workshop of the year. Joanne Spoto-Decker and Chris Flynn from the Department of Aging & Youth will present valuable insight into the process of Grant Writing.
Our second Free & Practical workshop will be held on March 2nd, and will be on the topic of childhood obesity. Our presenters will discuss how to help kids "Fight the Fat" with healthy snacking and meals, as well as how to get kids moving.
Youth Work Methods Workshops: This series of workshops begins with the topic of Structure and Clear Limits on Friday, January 29th. In this workshop, we will discuss the value of establishing routines and making it clear to young people what the limits are while they are participants in your program.
Subsequent workshops will be held on the last Friday of the months of January through June and September and October. However in November and December, the workshops will be held on the third Friday of the month because of the winter holidays.
Advancing Youth Development: Our popular 20-hour AYD Training for Frontline Youth Workers will be held two times in 2010. The first 5 week course will be offered from May 12 to June 9. Another course will be held in the fall from September 22 to October 20. Participants in this training get a solid introduction to positive youth development and learn about SOS, Youth Participation, Adultism and Adolescent Development. This course is a must for all new youth workers and anyone else who's interested in effectively working with young people.
Check out our calendar for more details. There's a lot to do this year!
Asset Champion Network - has changed its name to the Morning Movement!
Join Prevention Network and the Syracuse/Onondaga Youth Bureau on Thursday, January 28 at the NEW Prevention Network, 905 Spencer Street, Syracuse, for a unique opportunity to discuss what's new and what's needed in youth development.
If you've ever smiled at a young person, gave a word of encouragement, offered a safe place or stimulating activities, or in any way supported, advocated for, or taught a young person or his/her family, then you should come to this meeting and share your experiences.
Research shows that the more assets (support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, positive identity) a young person has, the more likely he/she will refrain from risky behavior and engage in thriving behaviors.
If you are unfamiliar with the 40 Developmental Assets, click on the Asset Building button on the left hand side of this page.
Parenting Partners is a new eight week parenting program being offered by Catholic Charities with help from the Syracuse/Onondaga County Youth Bureau. This strength based program helps parents to identify their own best qualities to improve communication and help build the Developmental Assets in their children.
The Syracuse/Onondaga County Youth Bureau promotes parenting programs as part of our Creating A Parenting Rich Community movement. A Parenting Rich Community is one in which parents have the internal and external resources needed to support the optimal development of all children at every stage of life, and where the job of parenting is supported and celebrated by the community.
Contact Bethany Creaser at Catholic Charities (424-1800) for more information.
The Central New York Out of School Time Network is a coalition of community members dedicated to promoting, providing and increasing opportunities for youth to engage in quality programs and experiences before and after school. The Network is a partnership of public, private, and not-for-profit agencies passionate in their mission to ensure that all children have access to out of school time resources in their communities.
Our next meeting will be held at Peaceful Schools, 1005 West Fayette Street, Syracuse on Friday, February 12 at 10:00. Please join us!
For more information about the Network, contact Marnie Annese at 315-435-2362x115 or by email at mannese@ongov.net
The Central New York Out of School Time Network is an active member of the Afterschool Alliance and an affiliate of the New York State Afterschool Network.
New York Parents Are Talking (NYPAT) is a network of parent educators that meets quarterly to share resources, challenges and successes in the world of parent education. The group includes folks who have worked with parents for over 30 years and those brand new to the field. Our meetings are informal, informative, and always practical. Join us!
For more information, contact Jane Arras at REACH CNY at 424-0009 or by email at jarras@familytiesnetwork.org
Real Life. Real Talk. 
Supporting Parents in Raising Sexually Healthy Kids
In America, we have a strange, unbalanced view of sex. It is everywhere - on T.V., in movies, videos and magazines - and is used to sell every thing from jeans to yogurt. Yet, it is also taboo. Real Life. Real Talk. is a creative initiative that works toward social change through a broad coalition of business and community leaders, community organizations, faith communities, doctors and educators. Real Life. Real Talk. is designed to encourage healthy dialogue about sexuality among parents, teens, families and communities.
For more information, contact Real Life. Real Talk. at 1120 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY. 13210, by phone at 315-475-5540, or visit the website www.realliferealtalk.org
Check out our calendar to find other Youth Development Training and Events