YRA School Clubs

 YRA School Clubs provide an opportunity for secondary or post-secondary students to be involved in local community development with the full support and resources of Youth Rising Above. Students will have the opportunity to create their own school clubs delivering programs or creating awareness around issues affecting young people. YRA School Clubs serve 3 purposes: 1) Offer activities that promote student well-being within the school; 2) Develop fundraising initiatives which contribute to alleviating youth poverty in the local community; and/or, 3) Create awareness on youth poverty or issues affecting youth development.
 

Clubs are supported in all aspects, including the development stages of forming a new club, delivering club activities and succession planning and sustainability of club operations - we're with club executives every step of the way! Clubs will have direct access to a dedicated YRA team member that will be available to help guide them, navigate school resources and ultimately help ensure club success. Clubs will receive access to YRA branding; YRA email accounts; sector recognized training; administrative resources and so much more. The YRA team has a proven model of program delivery that will help advance your club's mission and contribute to wellness in your school community. 

All club executive members will receive a customized reference letter that can support with future opportunities (such as career development and school applications). Club executive members will also receive training and skill development opportunities in Community Development, Marketing, Fundraising, Leadership and so much more; all transferable skills that will undoubtedly contribute to life during and post-school. Club members will also realize the joy and reward that comes with civic engagement and community development which will help positively shape their own holistic well-being. 

Not much! Our desire is for your club to be entirely student-led, with our team walking through the journey with you supporting, encouraging and providing resources. In order to help ensure your club's success and the advancement of your club's mission, we do ask that your club align with our purposes; that you report your club activities to us twice a year to better help us stay up to date on your initiatives; and that you keep us informed prior to using our branding, to ensure consistency across all our School Clubs. Ultimately, as long as you have a desire to support your school (or wider) community in some capacity, either for one or more school years, we want to help you along the way. 

Clubs can offer any activities so long as they are approved by school administrators or adhere to school policies; are not oppressive or discriminatory in any way, and are aligned with one or more of our 3 purposes (see question #1 - "What are YRA School Clubs"). Some activities include exam de-stressor activities, such as giving out hot chocolate to students; mental health resources; panel discussions, or contests. Activities can also create awareness, such as a social media campaign on youth mental health or video production. Or, can be fundraising oriented, such as a sock drive or sleeping bag drive. Funding may be available through YRA to conduct some of your activities. 

We're so glad and appreciative of your support of your students' positive growth and development outside of the classroom! We want you to know that our School Clubs Program is a partnership WITH you and the opportunities you are already creating for your students. We commit to transparency and open communication with you at all times. Our School Clubs are expected to abide by you local policies at all times, and only conduct official activities with your approval. We'll support with ensuring your students' success through our program methods and training opportunities. We'll also help navigate any challenges as they arise. Our team members are all screened, interviewed and governed by the charitable law, an organization constitution and a Board of Directors. We're all in it for the same reasons you are, creating opportunities for the positive growth of young people!