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| National Child and Youth Care Award |
| The Council would like to congratulate Jenny McGrath as the recipient of the 2006 Award. Nominations for the 2008 Award are now open. The Award presentation will take place at the next National to be announced at a later date. The Award scheme was suggested and initiated by Louella Goodwin, CYCAA representative to the Council in the early '90's. |
Jenny McGrath has been a child and youth care worker for almost a decade. During the last eight years, she was employed with the St. Francis
Foundation in St. John’s, NL.
Jenny McGrath is an illustration of effective youth care work. She is creative, responsive to the needs of the young people and families, and
confident in her approach (she uses more “Angles with Attitudes” cards than anyone!). Jenny is always looking for opportunities to promote
insight and learning. She is a strong advocate for young people and families, and builds positive relationships with them. Many young people that
Jenny has worked with still maintain contact with her years after leaving the program. The attached testimonial illustrate the impact she has had
on the lives of the young people and families with whom she has worked.
Recently I ran into a young person that Jenny worked with in open custody three years ago. He smiled, asked about Jenny and said that he had
given her a very hard time when they first met. As they continued to work together the young person said that Jenny helped him begin to get his
high school credits during his stay in open custody and also supported him when he began to make positive changes to his involvement with
drugs and crime. He told me how well he was doing now and how he began to turn his life around when he was working with Jenny as well as
that he believes that if he didn’t “end up in open custody, I wouldn't have graduated high school.” Now he is not involved with drugs and crime, and
is looking for work and going to continue with his post-secondary education. He wanted to make sure that I told Jenny how he was doing. He was
so proud of his accomplishments and wanted to hank Jenny for the same.
In addition to her exceptional work with clients, Jenny is also diligent in her commitment to learning and personal growth. Three years ago, Jenny
finished her Master’s Degree in Family Support. She completed her practicum on the St. Francis Foundation’s fledgling Family Support Program,
and her work in this area was instrumental in the development and expansion of the program. Jenny then went on to work in and supervise the
Family Support Program for the next three years. The following are comments from her co-workers and clients about her work in this program.
Fantastic person! Jenny helped us in so many ways I can’t say it in a couple of words. I don’t even know what words to say. Any time we would call
her, she’d be right here—”Johnny-on-the-spot.” I don’t know where we would be without her—I definitely don’t know where my son would be. She’
s fantastic! We think of her as a friend.
As both a placement student, whom Jenny supervised, and as a co-worker, at the St. Francis Foundation, only one word comes to mind when I
think of her - admiration. I feel privileged for having been able to meet her, work with her, learn from her, and no call her a close friend. In my
opinion and experience, Jenny exemplifies everything a CYCW should be— knowledgeable, empathic, open, kind, and determined. She
demonstrates compassion, commitment, and most of all, a tremendous love of her work. She is also truly dedicated to the advancement of the
field of Child and Youth Care. Not only is she an advocate and role model for those with whom she works, she exemplifies through teaching, what
it truly means to call oneself a CYCW. I can think of no other individual who deserves such an honour and recognition for her efforts. She is by for,
one of the best CYCW’s I know!
Jenny is also committed to professional development, and has been an active member of the Child and Youth Care Association of Newfoundland
and Labrador for several years. From 2002-2006 she served as vice-president. She was active in the planning of the National Child and Youth
Care Conference in 2002, and the Provincial Child and Youth Care Conference in 2006. Jenny was also involved in the development of the first
child and youth care diploma program in NL, and was a part-time instructor in that program from 2003-2006. Here are some comments from her
students:
Jenny has brought to our class an insurmountable amount of knowledge. Her outgoing and compassionate nature is an immediate attraction.
She’s a fabulous person who really understands and cares.
Jenny is well educated and helps others understand what she teaches. She is approachable and puts 100% into her work and is considered a
mentor to myself and others.
Jenny is very understanding, supportive, and a great role model. She is passionate about her work and makes learning fun and entertaining.
Sadly for NL, Jenny was recently recruited by Grant MacEwan College in Alberta to teach in their Child and Youth Care program. She started her
new position in August, 2006. They are very lucky to have her.
For her ongoing commitment to excellent in child and youth care, Jenny McGrath deserves to be the recipient of the 2006 National Child and Youth
Care Worker Award.
David Walsh, President
Lori Leonard, Vice-President
CYCANL
Foundation in St. John’s, NL.
Jenny McGrath is an illustration of effective youth care work. She is creative, responsive to the needs of the young people and families, and
confident in her approach (she uses more “Angles with Attitudes” cards than anyone!). Jenny is always looking for opportunities to promote
insight and learning. She is a strong advocate for young people and families, and builds positive relationships with them. Many young people that
Jenny has worked with still maintain contact with her years after leaving the program. The attached testimonial illustrate the impact she has had
on the lives of the young people and families with whom she has worked.
Recently I ran into a young person that Jenny worked with in open custody three years ago. He smiled, asked about Jenny and said that he had
given her a very hard time when they first met. As they continued to work together the young person said that Jenny helped him begin to get his
high school credits during his stay in open custody and also supported him when he began to make positive changes to his involvement with
drugs and crime. He told me how well he was doing now and how he began to turn his life around when he was working with Jenny as well as
that he believes that if he didn’t “end up in open custody, I wouldn't have graduated high school.” Now he is not involved with drugs and crime, and
is looking for work and going to continue with his post-secondary education. He wanted to make sure that I told Jenny how he was doing. He was
so proud of his accomplishments and wanted to hank Jenny for the same.
In addition to her exceptional work with clients, Jenny is also diligent in her commitment to learning and personal growth. Three years ago, Jenny
finished her Master’s Degree in Family Support. She completed her practicum on the St. Francis Foundation’s fledgling Family Support Program,
and her work in this area was instrumental in the development and expansion of the program. Jenny then went on to work in and supervise the
Family Support Program for the next three years. The following are comments from her co-workers and clients about her work in this program.
Fantastic person! Jenny helped us in so many ways I can’t say it in a couple of words. I don’t even know what words to say. Any time we would call
her, she’d be right here—”Johnny-on-the-spot.” I don’t know where we would be without her—I definitely don’t know where my son would be. She’
s fantastic! We think of her as a friend.
As both a placement student, whom Jenny supervised, and as a co-worker, at the St. Francis Foundation, only one word comes to mind when I
think of her - admiration. I feel privileged for having been able to meet her, work with her, learn from her, and no call her a close friend. In my
opinion and experience, Jenny exemplifies everything a CYCW should be— knowledgeable, empathic, open, kind, and determined. She
demonstrates compassion, commitment, and most of all, a tremendous love of her work. She is also truly dedicated to the advancement of the
field of Child and Youth Care. Not only is she an advocate and role model for those with whom she works, she exemplifies through teaching, what
it truly means to call oneself a CYCW. I can think of no other individual who deserves such an honour and recognition for her efforts. She is by for,
one of the best CYCW’s I know!
Jenny is also committed to professional development, and has been an active member of the Child and Youth Care Association of Newfoundland
and Labrador for several years. From 2002-2006 she served as vice-president. She was active in the planning of the National Child and Youth
Care Conference in 2002, and the Provincial Child and Youth Care Conference in 2006. Jenny was also involved in the development of the first
child and youth care diploma program in NL, and was a part-time instructor in that program from 2003-2006. Here are some comments from her
students:
Jenny has brought to our class an insurmountable amount of knowledge. Her outgoing and compassionate nature is an immediate attraction.
She’s a fabulous person who really understands and cares.
Jenny is well educated and helps others understand what she teaches. She is approachable and puts 100% into her work and is considered a
mentor to myself and others.
Jenny is very understanding, supportive, and a great role model. She is passionate about her work and makes learning fun and entertaining.
Sadly for NL, Jenny was recently recruited by Grant MacEwan College in Alberta to teach in their Child and Youth Care program. She started her
new position in August, 2006. They are very lucky to have her.
For her ongoing commitment to excellent in child and youth care, Jenny McGrath deserves to be the recipient of the 2006 National Child and Youth
Care Worker Award.
David Walsh, President
Lori Leonard, Vice-President
CYCANL
Jenny McGrath, National Child and Youth Care
Award recipient and Heather Modlin, President of
the Council.
Award recipient and Heather Modlin, President of
the Council.
Photo Credit: Mark Kelly
Garth Goodwin was the first recipient of the Award and no relation to Louella.
At the time of its being issued he had practised on the front line since 1974,
was a respite worker, fostered the growth of CYCWAM as its Newsletter
Editor and Treasurer and was Treasurer to the National Conference in
Winnipeg that year. Since the Award, Garth has established and maintained
an Internet presence for Canadian CYC, represented CYCWAM to the
Council until 2003 and served as Conference Co-Chair for Together 2000
and Promise into Practice. He writes a column for Relational Child and
Youth Care Practice and now works with Marymound designing outcomes
databases.
At the time of its being issued he had practised on the front line since 1974,
was a respite worker, fostered the growth of CYCWAM as its Newsletter
Editor and Treasurer and was Treasurer to the National Conference in
Winnipeg that year. Since the Award, Garth has established and maintained
an Internet presence for Canadian CYC, represented CYCWAM to the
Council until 2003 and served as Conference Co-Chair for Together 2000
and Promise into Practice. He writes a column for Relational Child and
Youth Care Practice and now works with Marymound designing outcomes
databases.
| 1996 Garth Goodwin |
Colette Sieban served the CYCBC for over a decade as its tireless member
who did all the work, attending to the mail, newsletter, registrations and
provincial conference work. Colette was a front line practitioner who
advanced to supervisor in addition to taking on challenging foster care
commitments. Her premature passing, less than a year after this Award was
presented pointed up the value of such recognition in the field.
who did all the work, attending to the mail, newsletter, registrations and
provincial conference work. Colette was a front line practitioner who
advanced to supervisor in addition to taking on challenging foster care
commitments. Her premature passing, less than a year after this Award was
presented pointed up the value of such recognition in the field.
| 1997 Colette Sieban |
Estella Erwin, over her career has progressed from the front line to
Supervision to Administration and finally to activist with The Association for
the Development of Children's Residential Facilities in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
She was one of the founders of the Nova Scotia Child and Youth Care
Worker Association and an advisor for child and youth care education in the
province. Her remarkable ability to stay in touch with clients and staff in her
programs throughout was noteworthy.
Supervision to Administration and finally to activist with The Association for
the Development of Children's Residential Facilities in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
She was one of the founders of the Nova Scotia Child and Youth Care
Worker Association and an advisor for child and youth care education in the
province. Her remarkable ability to stay in touch with clients and staff in her
programs throughout was noteworthy.
| 1998 Estella Erwin |
Lori Leonard serves as an example of a mature child and youth care
practitioner who has made the necessary investment of time and learning to
come to a place of excellence. She also is a front line practitioner and unit
supervisor who was supported by many testimonials in her nomination
attesting to her ability to build relationship and rapport with young people
and their families. Lori is currently President of the Child and Youth Care
Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
practitioner who has made the necessary investment of time and learning to
come to a place of excellence. She also is a front line practitioner and unit
supervisor who was supported by many testimonials in her nomination
attesting to her ability to build relationship and rapport with young people
and their families. Lori is currently President of the Child and Youth Care
Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
| 2002 Lori Leonard |
Jean Robson from CYCWAM received the latest Award. Jean has practised
as a front line practitioner, supervisor, and program director with Naturas, an
agency that operated in Winnipeg through the 80's and early 90's. The
program was known for its innovative use of both urban and rural settings
and high standards. Jean, along with her colleague from Naturas, Karl
Gompf were tireless lobbyists for CYC education in Manitoba helping to
realize Competency Based In service Training and the Child and Youth Care
Diploma Program at Red River College. Jean continues to instruct in the
program and promote its deserved success.
as a front line practitioner, supervisor, and program director with Naturas, an
agency that operated in Winnipeg through the 80's and early 90's. The
program was known for its innovative use of both urban and rural settings
and high standards. Jean, along with her colleague from Naturas, Karl
Gompf were tireless lobbyists for CYC education in Manitoba helping to
realize Competency Based In service Training and the Child and Youth Care
Diploma Program at Red River College. Jean continues to instruct in the
program and promote its deserved success.
2004 Jean Robson
| The purpose of the CCCYCA Award Program is two fold: |
|
| This award program is not intended to be a contest. The CCCYCA believes that by profiling and highlighting the wonderful work being done by any deserving Child and Youth Care Worker we bring recognition to us all and to our profession |
| Nominations will come from within the Provincial Child and Youth Care Associations, or individually from Council Members (all members of a provincial child and youth care association are members) and must be forwarded to the Award Committee prior to the 2008 national conference to qualify for the 2008 award to be announced in the next National. Nominations cannot include sitting members of the Board of the Council, nor can sitting members nominate. Nomination Process: Please provide a profile of deserving nominees including such details as educational background, career highlights, outstanding accomplishments, testimonials from clients, personal qualities and detail examples of outstanding interventions, etc. Along with this profile please send the nominee's name, address and phone number along with your name and phone number, the provincial/territorial child and youth care authorizations and your signature and title. Note, the nomination committee relies upon the impression of the written nomination submitted. An electronic form has been provided for nominations, see link below. |
| Go to Award Form: |
| | | | | | | | |
| © 2003-6 Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations/Garth Goodwin |
