United Way of Calgary and Area has been examining the social, emotional, and academic obstacles facing students in schools throughout the community. In our previous installments, we discussed the mental health concerns raised by our agency partners and how our partnerships and initiatives provide the necessary resources to bridge the COVID gap and ensure that students can thrive in the years ahead.
All In for Youth (AIFY) is one of most impactful initiatives. Since 2012, AIFY has provided students with academic support, building their skills and resilience, and helping them successfully transition into post-secondary education and employment opportunities or skill and career development.
We recently had the privilege of speaking with a group of AIFY Success Coaches. They serve as the vital human point of contact for students to receive support and development. The coaches also possess a unique insight into students’ minds and goings-on in Calgary’s junior and high schools. Their stories are both thought-provoking and heartening.
Our Community Impact Framework focuses on upstream solutions to effect systems change. Initiatives such as AIFY, in collaboration with Community Partners like Trellis Society and YMCA Calgary, tackle systemic issues by implementing a collaborative, integrated, and holistic approach. By changing the system, we can address these problems from the root and positively impact our community.
Our community partners identified post-pandemic mental health struggles in youth as a significant issue in 2023. On our blog, you can explore parts one and two of the Generation COVID series.