My name is Ioana Albulet and I am a student in the Community Worker program at George Brown College. I have the wonderful chance of doing my placement at ICA Canada with the YFL Program.

So far it’s been an amazing experience working with Staci. She is so passionate and a great mentor!!! Seeing her working so hard with and for youth inspires me. Youth have the energy and most important the desire to be involved in their communities but often times they do not have the opportunity to use their creativity. YFL is trying to offer this opportunity and I think it’s great.

A few words about me… I came to Canada three years ago from Romania. That was the turning point of my life. It wasn’t always a positive experience but it helped me discover who I was and what were my strengths. I also learned how important it is to have others to lean on when in need. That’s why I chose this path.
I want to be the support one needs at times in order to be able to help themselves and others.

Being able to be part of the YFL Team helped me develop some of my skills and I was impressed to meet so many people willing to help me not only because that’s their job but also because they believe in what they’re doing, they believe in youth.

Thank you YFL and Staci!!!

The latest Courage to Lead group study wrapped up last night with participants feeling inspired, reflective and eager to continue the connections they've made throughout the last 8 weeks. It was my first experience with Courage to Lead and the group study that accompanies the book and I have to say, I'm hooked. I very quickly volunteered to help facilitate future courses, as any past CTL participant is welcome to do, and I've already started re-reading the book last night in preparation for the next time 'round. It is such a useful tool to help focus our thinking and desire to do and be more in this world. And I can imagine how the group study changes with every new mix of people involved. Organizer's last night spoke more about the re-write of the book, currently underway, as well as a CTL Part 2 in the works for a later dates. It looks like the Courage to Lead is here to stay and believe me, we're all better for it.

I've been busy on the YFL side getting a schedule organized for 2009. My aim in the new year is to have more frequently offered public courses and to increase the participation and activity of the YFL committee. Look for courses like Group Facilitation and Tools for Teamwork to be offered on a more regular basis and in communities like Sudbury and North Bay as well as Toronto. We're also hoping to pilot a new YFL course in the fall of 2009. The focus for the new course will be Diversity Awareness and how ICA facilitation methods can apply when working with really diverse groups of people.

For more information about Courage to Lead or Youth as Facilitative Leaders, please visit www.icacan.ca

You can also view the public google calendar "YFL Events" for all upcoming YFL activities. This calendar will also be available through our website very soon.