As we wrap up programs in our partner TDSB schools for the 2017/18 year, we’d like to take a moment to pause and reflect on the brilliance of our participants, as well as extend our gratitude to the staff who made our programs possible.
We are so grateful to the youth for showing up, working through the initial resistance they may sometimes experience, and finding ways to integrate what they learned on the mat into their daily lives. Many youth have shared with us how much they now look forward to “yoga days” and notice correlations between taking part in our program and better sleep, lower levels of stress and increased ability to learn and retain information. From the youth we work with, we learn to be more adaptable, to not take ourselves too seriously and to find the courage to try new things.
We’ve had the pleasure of working collaboratively with staff at our partner sites, and appreciate their efforts to help the programs thrive. Staff members have shared that they’ve also picked up wellness strategies from taking part in sessions. A huge shout out to Bendale BTI, CW Jeffreys CI, Downsview SS, Eastdale CI, Etobicoke Alternative, Fairbank Attendance Program, Lord Dufferin PS, Nelson Mandela PS, School of Experiential Education, Thistletown CI and Westview Centennial SS.
While we wrap up at schools, we continue working year-round in custody facilities, the roots of where we began our programming 11 years ago. We are proud to continue partnering with these sites which span across southern Ontario: Brookside Youth Centre, Genest Youth Centre, Hope Manor, Roy McMurtry Youth Centre, Sprucedale Youth Centre and Syl Apps Youth Centre.
We will continue working over the summer at our drop-in programs in Rexdale, Scarborough and the Regent Park area, as well as partnering with a few camps and leadership programs to make these practices even more accessible.
Highlights
Partnering with MLSE Launchpad
Last summer, we worked with youth leaders in training at MLSE Launchpad, supporting their curriculum with mindfulness and yoga-based practices. We’re so thrilled to collaborate with them again! Our Regent Park youth drop-in program has moved to this space Thursdays at 4:30 pm.
Community of Schools Retreat
In May, we held our first multi-school retreat day bringing together four of our partner schools in the north-west area of the city. The session featured journaling, meditation, activities, and yoga-inspired movement by one of our brilliant senior facilitators, Rochelle.
Building Blocks of Resilience Training
This spring, we offered our second Whole Schools: Building Blocks of Resilience Training with an amazing group of staff from TDSB Alt 9 schools. Now it’s time to reflect on the 2 pilots of this new offering and continue to evolve for next year.
Hear from youth participants
This year, New Leaf offered 19 long-term programs at 11 schools sites in partnership with the Toronto District School Board, engaging with youth ranging in age from 9 to 18. Some of the testimonials we received from youth during our end-of-year surveys and focus groups included:
“Instead of being angry, I take a deep breath and breathe out again”
“I learned that I can learn new things. I never thought in a million years I would do yoga.”
“Things that are making you upset on the inside – yoga is a way to finally deal with it.”
“I’m in grade 12, school, it’s all stressful…to have a moment where we are just thinking about ourselves is beneficial.”
“When it comes to my neighborhood, it’s one that is stigmatized… Yoga has never been done in my neighborhood”