CYCC has helped us to establish new connections with researchers and other non-profit organizations that serve children and youth across Canada. This is a great example of a network that brings many perspectives to the table and where every voice is respected.

“

”JANICE MacAULAY; EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAMS NETWORK PARTNER

You’ve come to the right place! The CYCC Network

is a national body with an international reach.

We bring together community groups, front line

practitioners, government officials, and researchers

all working with children and youth in challenging

contexts throughout diverse Canadian communities.

Funded by the Networks of Centres of Excellence,

part of the mission of the CYCC Network is

“knowledge mobilization.” Put simply, this is the

process of taking really good ideas and turning

them into action. And then taking practices and

linking them with theory. It means that good research

doesn’t have to just end up on a library shelf. It also

means that communities across the country are

sharing their ideas of what works with at-risk kids.

Want to be part of a community?

Eager to share your goodideas and best practices?

Need more funding?

Interested in how other organizations may be able to help yours grow?

Need evaluation tools toassess how you are doing?

Want to get your research offthe shelf and into action?

CYCCNetwork Children and Youth in Challenging Contexts

Improving Mental Health and Well-being for

A simple idea... a big challenge...

The Children and Youth in Challenging Contexts (CYCC) Network was created in 2011 with a broad and optimistic goal:

Within the first two years of its inception, our network has taken off, growing to over 100 partners across the country. Non-profit agencies, health service providers, government, and post-secondary institutions are all on this list.

The wave of people who want to be part of a community of like-minded people, access knowledge, take

action, and be more effective in their work with children is massive.

Michael Ungar knew this when he co-founded the CYCC Network with Patrick McGrath and David Black, all from Dalhousie University. As a writer and a researcher focused on at-risk youth, Michael has hopscotched the world meeting individuals engaged in leading-edge work with youth. In his

To improve mental health and well-being for vulnerable and at-risk children and youth in Canada.

travels, he has learned that the best way to share valuable information is person-to-person. He calls it “impact through relationships” and it’s the foundation of the CYCC Network.

The most meaningful connections we make are stil l the ones that are face to face, voice to voice, and experience to experience. CYCC has been set up as a place to make connections, talk to colleagues, and gain valuable insights through others’ experiences.

“

”MICHAEL UNGAR; SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR CYCC NETWORK

We know you’re busy. Studies indicate that people working in the socialservices sector report their workloads often feel unmanageable and always on the rise.

So, if you feel like you have a mountain of work with dwindling resources, you’re not alone. It is hard to think about investing time and energy into something new but our partners agree it’s worth it.

Join the Canadian Red Cross in becoming part of the CYCC Network – a Network that not only would benefit from your knowledge and experience but will also inspire and challenge you to become better at serving and protecting kids. If we can work together and learn from each other, we will become more effective in becoming the best we can for our children and youth.

“

”JUDI FAIRHOLM; DIRECTOR, RespectED, CANADIAN RED CROSS NETWORK PARTNER

To date, we have shared information through webinars, videos, reports, online content, events, and social media exchanges. We’ve held contests, offered funding, and acted as a gathering place for people, information, and resources.

We produce comprehensive, high-quality reports on a variety of topics related to vulnerable children that are available on our website. If reading reports isn’t your thing, we also offer an easy-to-use database of relevant, innovative programs from around the world.

In March 2013 we brought all of our Network Partners together along with international experts to a Knowledge Mobilization Simulation event – just like military and peacekeepers, we worked together to understand how we generate

and share knowledge, and shift practice.

We also asked our network partners to participate in a video competition, no experience required! The only guidelines were that they should show off a best practice and be three minutes in length. Online voting ensued and the top three were awarded funds to create a professional video. Check out what organizations across Canada are up to, or better yet—make your own video!

The Story So Far...

We are always experimenting with different ways of getting information out to the people who need it the most. We invite your participation in some of these activities starting in 2013!

Stay Tuned for What’s Up Next!...

Eight prizes were awarded to Network Partners, including $5,000 to each of our three top entries: WITS Introductory Program, Les Bases du Programme DIRE and Be Safe! (Canadian Red Cross).

National Outreach Sessions – come out to the one-day event near you to strategize about local challenges, profile best practices, and inspire each other.

Innovation Funding – apply for financial support for leading edge projects all over the country through a competitive process. Don’t miss your opportunity to showcase the good work you are doing and acquire funding in the process. Seven projects have been funded so far with more money available in 2014.

Evaluation Tools Package – download tried and tested methods geared for smaller organizations needing to measure and document their impact for funders.

Youth Advisory Council – encourage the youth you work with to take part in this unique opportunity to have a voice in the development of CYCC.

We are proud of what we have built and want to continue to evolve and expand. As our network grows so does the impact of each and every community organization that takes part. The end result? More children and youth helped through more abundant, useful, and effective programs across Canada.

CYCCNetwork

MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT OF:6420 Coburg RoadPO Box 15000Halifax, NS B3H 4R2

cyccnetwork.org

/cyccnetwork

/cyccnetwork

/cyccnetwork

Join us! We want you!

CYCC has a lofty dream. To leave a legacy of people and organizations better connected to the knowledge and practices that help the children and youth we serve.

We know how to help kids do well in their lives. Now we just need to share what we know with each other. CYCC represents a wonderful combination of local commitment and vision, combined with a national and international platform.

Join us today and share your amazing local initiatives with the rest of Canada and the world.

Learn new and innovative ways of working with vulnerable kids

Exchange knowledge with other organizations

To join CYCC or for more information, please contact:

Executive Director902.494.4087 cycc@dal.ca

Inspire and be inspired.

Expand your network

Access easy-to-use tools and a database of best practices