Here's a personal story from one of our Training Centre clients!
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“I’ve had staff come in who are amazing
youth workers – they love youth and can have every other conversation with
them. But when it comes to sexual health they’re frozen. It scares them."
But that quickly changes, says
Seel-Thompson, after exposure to the Training Centre workshops from Calgary
Sexual Health Centre. She’s worked with the Spirit/Starburst programs, which
are aimed at junior high girls, for more than ten years and is a strong
advocate for incorporating CSHC’s programs into staff practice.
“For example, a young person might come
up to a youth worker and say, ‘I think I’m gay, how do I talk to my parents
about this?’” says Seel-Thompson. “These are big life questions and it can be
overwhelming for staff when they’re new and they haven’t had to deal with the
sexual health part. The relationship with CSHC has allowed us to be mentored
around this subject – how to talk to young people and be more comfortable and
confident.”
From sessions on creating a safe space
for LGBT clients, to helping clients who have had negative sexual experiences, Seel-Thompson says the interactive workshops have a
format that works.
“I like that you can just have real,
open, honest conversations in the workshops. I’ve had really, really in-depth
conversations that I’ve never had in any other training, and that’s reflective
of the value of Calgary Sexual Health.”
When asked if she would recommend the
training to others, Seel-Thompson maintains that it’s critical.
“I feel very strongly that it’s
important for organizations to do this. Young people need to be well-informed
and therefore the people who are leading youth need to be informed – they
could even do damage if they don’t know what they’re talking about,” she says.
“If you’re working with youth, you
should be really well informed about sexual health, since that’s 90% of the
conversations we have with youth. It’s such a big part of their decision-making
and their lives and trying to figure out who they are.”
And how has it affected the people who
really matter – the girls themselves?
“I really see that young people know they can
walk into our spaces and it’s a safe place,” says Seel-Thompson. “I think
that’s a direct result of me and my staff feeling confident and comfortable
because of the information we’ve learned. We feel well-informed and we’re so
well supported.”
“We really value that partnership with
CSHC, and we’ll continue to rely on it to inform our practice and make sure we
stay relevant. We’re just a huge fan of Calgary Sexual Health Centre.”
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Talk to us about our upcoming workshop schedule, or to have us deliver a workshop at your organization. Please note that workshops can be customized to meet the particular needs of your staff and the clients you serve.
Each program as a stand-alone can be delivered in approximately half a day, but programs may be combined to create a full day or more, based on agency needs.
To book a training session for your organization, or to discuss customized training, please contact:
Valerie Barr
Training Centre Manager
403-283-5580 Ext. 317 orvbarr@calgarysexualhealth.ca
