The Ladysmith Resources Centre Association (LRCA) is welcoming two new Family and Youth Support Workers into the fold.
The LRCA recently announced that Danielle Winter and Corey Bullen have joined the Family Youth Support Services Program as new Family and Youth Support Workers.
Winter has already established a high profile with parents and youth in this community from years of involvement with Ladysmith Family and Friends and Ladysmith Parks, Recreation and Culture, according to a press release from the LRCA.
“Danielle’s enthusiasm, energy and knowledge will be fundamental in her approach to this new position,” states the release. “Corey’s recent graduation from the Community Support Worker program, years of volunteer coaching both baseball and hockey, strong devotion to Ladysmith and passion for working with youth make this a very exciting opportunity for everyone.”
Both Winter and Bullen were raised as youths in Ladysmith and understand the challenges and difficulties that young adolescences are faced with in growing up in this small community.
Together they say, “It has been heartbreaking to see all the recent headlines on bullying. It is our hope that the youth in our town realize that there is help and support out there and that they are not alone. We are here to provide a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental service to all teens in our community.”
Along with providing individual support for youth in need, Winter and Bullen are also in the process of working with Ladysmith Secondary School to develop an anti-bullying campaign.
The mission of the LRCA is to “co-ordinate, facilitate and provide services and information to enhance the quality of life in Ladysmith and surrounding community.”
LRCA’s Family and Youth Support Services Program is a confidential open-referral program, meaning that anyone can refer a youth to its services, including the youth themselves.
Youth involved in this program may:
• be struggling with peer relations (for example, bullying, dating, developing positive friendships)
• be experiencing conflict in the home
• be involved in high-risk behaviour, drugs and alcohol, or experiencing some other type of crisis
• be involved in violent peer interactions
• be in trouble with the police or other authorities
• lack social skills or appropriate boundaries
• be unaware of coping strategies for dealing with emotions
• demonstrate self injurious behavior
• or be living on or involved in street activities.
— Submitted by the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association
