CO-PRESIDENT

EMAIL TANIA

" I am from Nanaimo and I’ve been working in the child and youth care field since 1997. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Women’s Studies in 1998, and my Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care in 2002. I’ve had experience in a wide range of settings that serve children and youth. My passion is for school based child and youth care work, with a particular focus on helping youth stay in school, and working collaboratively with the school system to try to meet the needs of high risk children, youth and families. I am currently employed as an advocate for persons with disabilities. This position gives me a number of opportunities to do outreach work, educating people about the experiences of those with disabilities. One of the highlights of my role was my involvement in the 2002 Youth Taking Action Conference, where I was on the planning committee and I facilitated four workshops on conflict resolution. "

" My goal for the CYCABC is three-fold. First, I am committed to seeing child and youth care grow as a profession, and I see the association as a key vehicle to achieve that aim. Second, I hope we can be a proactive voice for change, because I believe that systemic action has to work hand in hand with front line child and youth care. Third, as I am so passionate about growth, learning, and education, I want to ensure that the Association, over the next few years, takes steps to be a leader in connecting practitioners to opportunities to expand their training and develop their competency as professionals. One of my dreams is to see Nanaimo host the 2008. If there are people out there would who like to collaborate with me on achieving that goal, please feel free to contact me!"

   PAST-PRESIDENT

" I have worked at the Maples Adolescent Centre (a provincial mental health facility) for 13 years in a variety of roles: childcare counselor, shift supervisor, and currently as program coordinator. I have also worked in group homes and as a family support worker for foster homes. I received a BA with a major in psychology from UBC and presently I am in the Child and Youth Care Master’s program at UVIC.

" I am working with members of the Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Association on a national initiative regarding child and youth care practitioner competencies. I believe that the CYCABC can provide a professional identity for all child and youth care practitioners in the province of BC and that together with a united voice we can have botha a political and professional presence that represents Child and Youth care at local, provincial and national levels. I encourage everyone in the province of BC to become members of your association."

" Hello, my name is Tanis Wiersma and I have been a Member at Large of the Child and Youth Care Association of B.C. since 2005.  My involvement began when I was still a student in the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care program at Malaspina University ~ College and heard about the need of this Association for members.  As a Child and Youth care student and practitioner I was interested to see what the professionalization of our field would look like.   I am a mother of two teenage sons, a wife of 19 years and a woman with enthusiasm for the advocacy and support of our children, youth, and families.  July 2006 I began my current job as a Child Protection Investigator in my home town of Duncan, B.C.  The job is both challenging and rewarding and also a place where I use the most fundamental skill of our profession daily: Relationship.   I look forward to continuing as a member of this Association for years to come and encourage others to come on board who have a passion and willingness to support the evolution of Child and Youth Care practice in B.C. "

" My name is Andrea Thurber and I am a "Member at Large" with the Child and Youth Care Association of British Columbia. I have been a "Member at Large" with the association for a year. I graduated from The Child and Youth Care program offered at Metro Training Institute in 2004. I worked at Kitsiliano Neighbourhood House which is in Vancouver, in the After School Care program for a year.Currently, I am attending Capilano College in North Vancouver and studying Early Childhood Care and Education. I strongly believe that as Child and Youth Care Counsellors/Workers, we as a professional body should advocate for and recognize ourselves the need for quality child and youth programs and resources in order to teach/ foster /support positive overall development in the child and youth and families of our province. "

"Hi friends - my name is Rebecca Wykes and I am the president of CYCABC.  I currently live in the lower mainland and am a counselor for youth who are on probation in an alternate program.
I first got involved with the CYCABC about three years ago while attending University.  At the time I was not really sure what the Association stood for nor what I could contribute to such a thing.  However, I did want to learn more and so I became a member at large on the Board.  I have also served as the secretary for the last year and now serve as the vice president. 
In a few short words, I would say that the most satisfying thing about being involved with the CYCABC is knowing that my voice is being heard. That my thoughts and opinions matter and that others share in my perspective of child and youth care work. 
If there is only one thing I would like for you to know, whether you are a member of the Association right now or you are just thinking about it, its that we do want to hear your thoughts.  This Association relies on the voices of all child and youth care workers.  Please, please jump on board and be the instrumental part of this Association that I know you are."