PYCS Newsletter 1

Participant HighlightsWritten By:

Leila Dusseault

WT8-1 Graduate

Pathfinder Youth Center Society, where do I start?!?

It was the most amazing journey in life I've had so far. Pathfinder helped me find the person I am today, a college student pursuing a Dental Receptionist Coordinator program. A year ago, I would never have thought I would enroll myself in college. Working together has helped me find the right path to go down to become something amazing, something I never thought I could be, And look at me today!

Pathfinder helped me through so many things, from anger to happiness, healthy relationships to unhealthy relationships, finding your color to getting 7 certifications. The 5 month process is truly an incredible experience. I learned how to control my anger, and know when to walk away from things. I learned that I am an organized gold, that I can do anything I put my mind to. I found in myself how to communicate with people properly, how to set realistic goals, how to cope with self esteem, and how to demonstrate a positive attitude. Don't forget the 3 weeks of summer sports camps, and seeing 40 kids go home smiling at the end of every day. I’d like to thank everyone at Pathfinder for helping through this life changing process. I'm not going to say it was easy or all fun and games, because picking yourself apart is never the easiest thing to do, but it was the best experience one could have. I know that if I ever need support in anything I do I can turn to the great people at Pathfinder. I say to everyone, if you get a chance to go through this program take it, and run with it, you never know what this amazing place will bring you in life. And never, ever give up on your dreams!

Once a Pathfinder always a Pathfinder! THANK YOU PATHFINDER YOUTH CENTER SOCIETY!!

Written By: Lacticia Kromm

EBP8-1 Graduate

Pathfinders was an amazing experience if I could I would do it again. Before the program started I didn’t have the confidence or skills to go out and get a job but with the help of everyone being so supportive; we all accomplished something. We learned a lot about ourselves and what we’re capable of. Pathfinder’s was amazing and I am definitely going to miss it.

NEWSLETTERVolume 4, Issue 1 January 2011

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E1 Executive Director’s Note pad and Pepsi Refresh Project

1 Participant Highlights,2 Corporate & Community Donors and PYCS 2011 Wish List3 PYCS Program Updates4 EBP Program Update/ Recreation/ PYCS Calendar5 1st Annual “Golfing For Youth” Luncheon6 Post Building Dreams 2nd Annual Gala Information7 Au Revoir Summer Students, What’s Going On? and Did You

Know?8 Contact Information and Donation Form

Executive Director’s Note padIt has been a busy and successful year for us. We’ve had approx 70

participants attend our youth skills link programs, our recreation nights continue to grow, and two new interim programs were created “Skills for Life” in Surrey and Maple Ridge. Both of which had 24 participants attend. Our camps this year were a great success reaching out to 120 young people in the Surrey Community. The participants were also empowered by their success with the carnivals that they personally organized the Surrey and Maple Ridge community.

Relationships are very important to us and we have been fortunate enough to have new supporters. We would like to thank CIBC, VANCITY, and Senator Martins for believing in our mission. A special thank you to all (attendees & donors) who helped make this year’s“Building Dreams Gala” a very successful one. We were able to raise over $6500.00! All proceeds will go toward our new programs.

Pathfinder is proud to say we will be contributing to saving our environment by having our newsletters go fully green and emailing them to you July 2011. If you would like to continue receiving our newsletters and keep up with our journey, please email us your full name, home and email address to pathfinderyouthsociety@shaw.caThanks again for another great year and for all your support.

Ruth LeePathfinder Youth Centre Society

Pathfinder Youth Centre Society is excited to announce that we are part of an amazing program by Pepsi called the “Pepsi Refresh Everything Project” which will allow us to compete for votes with other organizations to win the top prize of $100,000 for our “Mentorship”Program. We need your daily votes starting noon January 4, 2011 to February 28, 2011 and to do so simply type “refresheverything.ca” in your search engine. In their search field at the top of their page type “Pathfinder” and click the search button. It will bring you directly to our voting page. To vote daily you do need to register, but it only takes a minute. Click on our “Vote For This Idea” button and follow the user-friendly instructions. Once complete click our “Vote For This Idea” button again and put us one-step closer to mentoring youth. Thank You

Pepsi Refresh Everything ProgramWE NEED YOUR VOTES!!

PYCS Newsletter 2

Corporate & Community Donors

We at the Pathfinder Youth Centre Society would like to give a special thanks to all our 2010 corporate and community donors for their invaluable in-kind and cash donations. Without donations many aspects of our programs would not be successful.

Service Canada – Surrey Parks & Rec -Program Sponsor Gym & Field Space

Starbucks in Newton Village – Pepsi Canada –Pastries & Coffee Food & Beverages

Surrey Fire fighters – City TV Vancouver –$2,000 for Surrey & Media SupportWhite Rock Area Sports Camp

CIBC - $5000 DonationRotary Club of North Delta

Monetary Funds Vancity– $500 Donation

Shaw Channel 4 – Bestbuy Canada –WhiteAiring our Participant PSA’s Rock

Monarch House Burnaby- Team 1040Promo Homeless Survival KitBags Sprott Shaw – Rick Pasin

Sports Check – The Energy Shop –Sports Equipment Toonie 4 Tomorrow

Collection

We at Pathfinder would also like to say “Thank You” to all the employers involved in assisting our EBP participants in their work experience, so THANKS AGAIN to:

A & W Restaurant A & W Restaurant Fleetwood- Pam Guildford-Desiree

Ramada Hotel- Carol ABC Restaurant

Red Robin Restaurant Sandman Hotel- MonicaGuildford- Megan

Best Western Hotel-Sunny

City Donair- Rosie

Cineplex Entertainment- Steve (Colossus, Meadowtown, SilverCity, Strawberry Hill, Metropolis & Station Square)

PYCS 2011 WISH LIST

Land or home(s) – to run our programs Food– (key items: creamer, coffee mate, milk, tea bags, hot

chocolate, sugar, coffee and coffee filters, juice, ketchup, margarine/butter, bread, fruits, vegetables, meat, etc.)

Cake for our Graduation Ceremonies – for 30 -40 people Toys for Annual Christmas Party (ages 1 to 10) Christmas Gifts for participant (hygiene items, socks, bath soap, hair

products, toothpaste and tooth brushes, etc) Computers (2008 onward for computer classes) 6 Laptops for Program Staff (2008 and onward) 2 Digital Cameras to capture our programs for participants 80 flash drives per calendar year for program participants to save

resumes & cover letters for the job club module of all 3 programs (any memory size)

Monetary Funds Binders for Participants (1½ to 2 inch) Bus Tickets for participants (1, 2 or 3 zone) Office Supplies Office Furniture (New or Used) File Cabinets (Various Styles & Types) Office Chairs Presentation Equipment Projector Screen Audio Visual Cart

MP Grewal makes announcment to funds a new “Skills for Life” program in Surrey

Surrey, BRITISH COLUMBIA, October 29, 2010― Ms. Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood– Port Kells, announced funding on behalf of Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development to the Pathfinder Youth Centre Society to support a 2nd nine week Skills for Life project that will help 13 youthovercome their barriers to help ease their transition into the work force, complet high school or move onto post secondary education.

In the above picture; MP Ms. Grewal; Mrs. Ruth Lee, Pathfinder’s Executive Director, Mr. Orville Lee, Pathfinder’s President of the Board of Directors and all our PYCS staff from Maple Ridge and Surrey.

Darcy Daniels is one of our post graduates from our 1st Maple Ridge “Skills for Life” program. He told MP Grewal and all in attendance about how his life was changed when he attended our 7 week program in Nov/Dec of 2009. Darcy’s low self esteem once had him believing that he could never be a contributing member of society.

Today, with the ongoing mentorship from his program coordinator and facilitator, Darcy is now working toward getting scholorships so he can afford to attend college to study Accounting.

In picture from right to left; Ruth Lee, MP Nina Grewal; Orville Lee, Darcy Daniels, Lynda Konarski (Program Coordinator) & Jessica Karls (Program Facilitator)

PYCS Newsletter 3

Working Together - Surrey

Working Together 8-1 in Surrey saw 12 new participants start a new chapter in their lives on May 1, 2010. The youth worked hard to earn all their certifications in: WordHost, Customers with Disabilities, Service across Cultures, WHIMIS, Foodsafe. Once all life skills and certification modules were completed the youth then moved onto tackling their 4 projects.

A Public Service Announcement on “Gang Violence” was the first project these youth completed and later presented it to local schools. Then they moved onto our Annual Summer Kids Sports Camp held in Unwin Park free of charge to low income families living in the Surrey Community. The weekly campers also received a t-shirt, healthy lunch and snack daily and at the end each day one campers would receive a “Camper of the Day” prize. The Working Together team successfully ran three weeks of Sports Camp. Each week 40 young people ages 7 to 13 attended. Our program participants acted as coaches and lead their groups each day from start to finish. They all did amazing as we ran a week of Soccer, Football and Basketball/Soccer. Thanks to our prize donor “Sports Check” for supplying us the fun sports equipment for this project and to the Surrey Fire Fighters for their generous monetary donation which went toward the kids t-shirts and healthy lunches.

Our youth also worked hard at putting together a fun, free, annual kids Carnival in early August in Unwin Park. We had over 200 kids in attendance along with their parents and guardians. There was a bouncy castle, carnival events, free hotdogs and plenty of prizes to make sure no one walked away empty handed. In September our team began their Employment Skills training. They completed new Resume’s, Cover Letters, videoed mock interviews, learned about job search etc.

Eight of our ten participants are returning to school. Six of the ten had found worked and the other four were still pursuing work. Pretty amazing! We are proud of them and looking forward to another 10 young lives looking to give us the best of them selves this November 1, 2010 Congratulations! WT8-1 Grads.

PYCS ProgramsWorking Together - Maple Ridge

Working Together Maple Ridge had another very successful program. We graduated 11 participants 2 were unable to attend their graduation because they were offered full time employment prior to graduation. However, all graduated participants used their useful certifications (WordHost, Customers with Disabilities, Service Across Cultures, WHIMIS, Foodsafe) to secure gainful employment post graduation. Four participants went on to College and all participants pursued continuing education.

We celebrated great successes giving back to the community. Our Carnival was wonderful and accommodated over 150 children. Our “sing a long” with special needs adults was so appreciated that we will continue this tradition with our new participants. Our PSA was also a very successful and powerful message to the 200 school children who witnessed the presentation.

On May 1, 2010 we started our 5th Working Together Program and hope that these graduates who graduated on September 27th, 2010 continue to take the skills they’ve learned and fly. Congratulations! WTMR5-1 Grads.

PYCS Newsletter 4

M E N T O R S H I PRECREATION

Pathfinder continues to provide communities access to free after hours recreation nights. We believe it is those youth left to wander the streets at night that are most at-risk of getting themselves into trouble. But without financial support such programs currently running will be more difficult to provide. Pathfinder’s is currently seeking donations of beverages and food for the youth who attend our recreation nights, more sports equipment, so we can provide this service to more communities in BC’s lower mainland and the Fraser Valley. This program will be pivotal in the outreach section of our “Mentorship Program” that we are currently seeking funding for. As providing evening activities for barriered youth is just the first phase to us touching and change their lives.

A special “Thank You” to the following for contributing to this community program and for helping us facilitate these initiatives:

Sports Check

Surrey Parks and Recreation – Karen Sekon Guildford Park – Caroline Oram Frankhurt Secondary – Sukh Rai, and Mrs Sanchez Kwantlen Park – Mr. Raj Puri Pepsi Canada Breakfast Television

Without these very important partners our recreation nights would not be possible. Thank you for helping us provide a safe and funenvironment.

PYCS CA L E N D A R

RECREATION NIGHT – SURREY

Wednesday: FRANK HURT SECONDARY SCHOOL - 1394077 AVENUE, SURREY FROM 6 – 9 PM

Friday: GUILDFORD PARK - 10707 146TH ST., SURREY

FROM 6 – 9 PM

Friday: LA MATHESON SECONDARY – 9484 – 122 ST

SURREY FROM 6 – 9 PM

Basketball, Dodge Ball, Outings, BC Lions games and much more ……..

PYCS Programs (continued)Employment Beginnings

The Employment Beginnings Program (EBP8-1) provided 10youth with employment barriers the opportunity to gain experience in the hospitality and tourism industry that they may not otherwise had. The EBP8-1 group committed to themselves and the program by sharing their experiences with each other and the Pathfinder staff.

Through the five and a half months, the participants spent 10weeks in the classroom learning and reviewing life skills and employability skills. The curriculum also included seven certificates in: Food Safe, First Aid, Serving It Right, WHMIS, World Host, Service Across Cultures, and Customers with Disabilities. These certifications will aid the participants in their future endeavors within the hospitality and tourism workforce and ensure they have an edge on their competition. After completing all their certifications the youth were now equipped to move onto the 19 week work experience portion of the program. A 9 week work experience is broken into three separate opportunities to work in a variety of positions in the industry so they can get a better understanding of the various rolls. Within the 9 weeks youth would return to the program twice for 5 days before going onto their next work experience. This allows the youth to talk about their experience, trouble shoot with classmates any conflicts or difficult situations they encountered and prepare for their next work experience opportunity.

We would like to Congratulate! Our September 30th, 2010 EBP graduates who are eager to take on new challenges and become contributing members of society.

We would like to thank all employers that took part in the work experiences: A&W Restaurants, ABC Restaurants, Best Western Hotel, Cineplex Theatres, City Donair, Ramada Hotels, Red Robin Restaurants and Sandman Hotels. The continuous support of the local businesses and community resources ensures the success of the graduates of the Employment Beginnings Program.

PYCS Newsletter 5

1ST ANNUAL “GOLFING FOR YOUTH”2011 LUNCHEON & AUCTION FUNDRAISER

The Pathfinder Youth Centre Society, is a non profit organization that assists youth with attaining key life and employment skills through its various programs.

On May 27, 2011, Pathfinder will be holding its 1st Luncheon & Auction at the Redwood Golf Course in Langley. All funds raised will go directly to Pathfinder’s new initiatives.

Come and enjoy an exciting afternoon of golf, a gourmet lunch, silent auction and draw prizes. Your support and time at this event will transform the lives of at-risk-youth.

An event sponsor along with silent auction items are desperately needed for this event. Please email Ruth Lee at:rlee@pathfinderyouthsociety.org if interested in supporting us or for ticket information.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday May 27, 2011 Location: Redwood Golf Course, 22011 88th Avenue, Langley, BC

Time: TBA

PYCS Newsletter 6

AU RE V O I R T O OU R

SU M M E R ST U D E N T S

On August 27th, 2010 we said goodbye to three hard working summer students who contributed amazingly to our organization and youth programs in Surrey. We said good bye to Madalen Nicholls our Jr. Administrator, Tim Unaegbu and Marie Verbenlov our Youth Mentors. Thanks guys for giving 100% commitment to our organization and we wish you all the best as you return to university. Also thanks to our WT Program Coordinator Michelle Willows for allowing us to host the pot luck event at her gorgeous home.

.

E V E N T S & F U N D R A I S I N G I N I T I A T I V E S @H O M E … . .

Pathfinder is always seeking support from our community partners and donors to help us raise funds for our various initiatives (mentorship program and other initiatives to help youth at risk).

May 27, 2011 Pathfinder will be holding its 1st ”Golfing for Youth”Luncheon and Silent Auction this May and are in need of Corporate Sponsorship and donations. Please call 604-598-2703 for more information

Sponsorship Levels: Platinum Level - $15,000 – Official Golf Tournament Sponsor, Logo on Golf Shirt, Loot bag, promo merchandise + 2 teamsGold Level- $10,000 – Golf Shirt Log + 1 teamSilver Level- $5,000 – Logo on Table+ 1 teamBronze Level-$500– Verbal Mention

October 15, 2011 Pathfinder will be holding its 3rd “Building Dreams” Gala Dinner and Auction this October 15, 2011 and are in need of Sponsorship and donations. Tickets on Sale May 1, 2011 (buy your ticket before September 1st and you’ll be entered into a draw for a sweet prize). Please call 604-598-2703 for more information.

Sponsorship Levels: Platinum Level - $25,000 – Official Gala Sponsor + 2 tablesGold Level- $10,000 – Verbal & Written Mention + 1 tableSilver Level- $5,000 – Verbal Mention & Written + 1 tableBronze Level-$500–Table Sponsor (promo product for table)

PYCS Husky Points Cards - donates 2% of our account’s total monthly gas sales. Please call or email us to get a Husky points card.

For more information about any of our above fundraising initiatives or events please call our fundraising department at: 778-898-8785, email: rlee@pathfinderyouthsociety.org or check out our website: www.pathfinderyouthsociety.org

DID YOU KNOW ?????

THAT WHEN YOU TRULY KNOW WHO YOU ARE AT THE CORE,

NO ONE CAN USE YOU AGAINST YOU.

STOP BULLYING WHEN YOU SEE IT

We always encourage peer mentorship within our society and all graduates are

welcome to share their story to new participants.

Thanks! Michelle

PYCS Newsletter 7

P A T H F I N D E R BU I L D I N G DR E A M

G A L A

On October 16, 2010 we held our 2nd “Building Dreams” Gala Dinner & Silent Auction at the Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam.

Thanks to the Gala Team who helped put this Gala together (Annelise Ganske, Renita Loftus and Ruth Lee) Pathfinder was able to provide a night of fun and excitement for all its guests. We were also able to enlighten our guest through a short video presentation featuring our new centre in Surrey and information about our new “Mentorship Program” initiative. Mariam Nasrri from our very 1st EBP program back in 2004 also attended and shared her story of being a new comer to Canada and the challenges she faces as she established a new life. She described how she stumbled across Pathfinder’s and now 6 years later she has finished University, worked for the Liberal Government as a Parliament Aid and now wants to work with the disadvantaged; inspired by her #1 fans Orville and Ruth Lee (Pathfinder’s President and Executive Director)

At the end of the night we drew our final and largest prize a$4,600 Westjet Package and this year’s winner was a first time attendee who wanted to support the organization. The winner was Grace Noel (right side) of Coquitlam.

We would like to thank the following companies and community supporters for the donations to our gala, silent auction, draw prizes, and to Claire Fremista of “Destined for Sweetness” for the “Thank You” cup cakes for our guests as all your contribution helped us create a successful evening:

Westjet - $4,600 Airfare for two, anywhere Westjet fliesExecutive Plaza Hotel –Brunch for 2 gift certificate BC Lions - #23 (LEE) jerseyWillow Tree Cabinet Company - cabinetAlenander Toney –guitarist for cocktail receptionBeata Nowicki (Mary Kay Senior Director) - $56 satin hand set for beauty basket)Todd Baker (Aboriginal Artist) – various aboriginal printsSenator Martins – dinner with senatorRestwell Mattress – Troy Zanatta – nike golf bagSmooth Grooves – DJ ServicesMystique – Spa PackageWireless Wave – Marvin Darvaras – cell PhoneRocky Mountain Sports - autographed Canuck merchandiseVancouver Photo Booth- photo boothShe’s Fit – certificatesBest Western Pacific Inn – IpadGame Ready – certificateWind mobility – cellularSewell Marina – sea safariHome Depot – hand toolsWalmart – certificateTeam 1040 – golf bagVan Dusan Botanical Garden - certificatesArt Knapp - certificatesBeauti control – productsLotus spa – 10% off all PYCS salesSierrasil – monetaryVancouver Giants – ticketsAppollo – televisionRed Robin – gift certificateBoathouse English Bay– gift certificateRoque wet bar – gift certificateAlice Loftus – paintingCanadian Outback Adventure – gift certificateOttmar & Mariam Egger – cash donationSandman Hotel Group – one night stay gift certificateSNAP Coquitlam – advertising

PYCS Newsletter 8

THANKS TO OUR DEDICATED PATHFINDER TEAM

MENTORING ONE YOUTH AT A TIME

* NEW LOCATION

PYCS HEAD OFFICE MAPLE RIDGE OFFICE

104 -13479 77th Avenue 12-11720 Stewart CrescentSurrey, BC V3W 6Y1 Maple Ridge, BC V2X 9E7P - 604-598-2703 P – 604-460-2856F - 604-590-2782 F – 460-460-7848

email: pathfinderyouthsociety@shaw.ca

Yes! I would like to help Pathfinder with “Mentoring One Youth at a Time”.

Name or Company Name:(Please print clearly and exactly as you wish it to appear on your tax receipt, if applicable)

Address:

City: Province/State: Postal Code/Zip:

Email: Phone and/or Cell:

*Please check the box that corresponds to the type of donation you wish to make and the box that corresponds to how you would like to pay

Toonie for Tomorrow Donation: $ Please mail or fax this form if you make your donation through canadahelps.org

Please accept my PYCS Donation: One-Time Donation of : $ Donations of $25 or more qualify for a tax receipt

Monthly Donation of: $10 $25 $50 $100 $I’d like to pay by: Cheque or post-dated cheques (make cheque (s)payable to: Pathfinder Youth Centre Society)

Credit Card Credit Card donations are made by going to www.canadahelps.org or asking for a Paypal Email Invoice

Please send me a PayPal invoice via email: I have made a donations through Canadahelps.org

I have left a gift to Pathfinder in my will Please email me your newsletter

Please mail your donation and/or this donation form to:Pathfinder Youth Centre Society, c/o Ruth Lee, 104 –13479 77th Avenue, Surrey, BC V3W 6Y1