Belleville, Ontario, November 18, 2013 – On Wednesday, November 20, students from the Child and Youth Worker program at Loyalist College will participate in a Poverty Challenge on campus. This real-world simulation activity will provide students with insight into social issues that are experienced every day in our community, and help them become agents of social change.
During the challenge, first-year students will assume the role of a person living in poverty and take on particular challenges and responsibilities. For example, they might assume the role of a single mother of three who has lost her job and been evicted from her apartment. The student’s challenges in this scenario would be to feed her family, find alternative housing, and seek a job or support from Ontario Works. Navigating the system, they will seek help from local agencies, which will be represented by third-year students in the program in various locations across the College. Each role assigned will reflect a real-life scenario that has been experienced by somebody living in our community.
| What: | Loyalist College Child and Youth Worker Program Poverty Challenge |
| When & Where: | Wednesday, November 20, Loyalist College, Kente Building 8:30 a.m. Registration begins (Gymnasium) 9 a.m. Students convene in the Wilkinson Lecture Theatre (2H18) 9:20 a.m. Students break into groups 10 a.m. Round One Begins 11 a.m. Round Two Begins 11:55 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch – graffiti wall and speakers’ corner (Gym) 12:35 p.m. Debriefing in profile groups and introduction of poverty experts 1:05 p.m. Student Think Tank (Gymnasium) 2:20 p.m. Facilitator/Student Meeting 2:45 p.m. Wrap-Up (Alumni Hall) |
| Media: | For media interested in covering the challenge, students will be engaged in their character scenarios at 10 and 11 a.m. |
| Photo Opportunity: | There will be a graffiti wall set up in the gym during lunch between 11:55 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. where students will express what they have learned so far. |
“Loyalist Child and Youth Worker faculty are thrilled to partner with our community to provide this experiential learning opportunity for our students,” said Lisa Shunock, professor and coordinator of the Child and Youth Worker program. “We strongly believe in the value of raising awareness of social issues and empowering our students to act as advocates for all members of their community.”
The Poverty Challenge is presented in partnership with the United Way of Quinte, the Canadian Mental Health Association Hastings and Prince Edward Branch and the Community Development Council of Quinte.
Loyalist College prepares students for a rewarding career by combining rigorous academic standards with hands-on training from industry experts. Programs range from apprenticeships and certificates to diplomas and post-graduate studies. Loyalist offers 65 full-time programs and 77 university transfer agreements around the world. The best testament to the College’s value is from students, 96 percent of whom say they would recommend Loyalist to a friend. Loyalist is committed to helping students find great jobs, as well as supporting and enhancing the economic and social development of all individuals in its communities.
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For more information, contact:
Kerry Lorimer
Interim Director of Marketing & Communications
Loyalist College
(613) 969-1913, ext. 2536