Ever Active Schools has created the award winning Youth Wellness Leader Certification (YWLC). YWLC is the first-of-its-kind youth-focused equity, diversity, and inclusion leadership training to be recognized by recreation and human services employers across Alberta, and was awarded with Excellence in Youth Development by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association in 2023.  

Through this training, youth program leaders increase their knowledge, understanding, and skills to foster active environments and recreation opportunities that are equitable, accessible, and inclusive.  Ever Active is committed to ensuring access to play for everybody because we know that play has an integral role in healthy child development and healthy futures. Through the development of the YWLC, we have examined the key values for creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible physical activity opportunities. These key attitudes and values are consolidated in our Play is for EVERYBODY framework. 

This program offers low-barrier training to youth and young adults seeking local employment in the areas of after-school and summer recreation programming.  Individuals can request to be added to the interest list for the next public training session and organizations can request to host a training.  A flexible delivery schedule is available with 4-8hr training options.  Costs are $150/participant with a minimum of 10 participants.

Program Learning Outcomes:

1. Participants increase their knowledge, understanding, and skills to foster active environments and recreation opportunities that are equitable, accessible, and inclusive
2. Participants learn how to be caring adults and support healthy child development 
3. Participants understand the provincial after school activity guidelines and how they can facilitate programming that promotes wellbeing
4. Participants are empowered to be change makers in school and community recreation settings

Option for Credit Earning:

A goal of this initiative is to address youth barriers to both graduation and employment by working with school jurisdictions to support credit-earning, providing equitable access to industry-standard certifications, and working directly with employers to support equitable hiring practices for youth.  Ever Active will work with school jurisdictions to create a training that packages YWLC with another industry certification; such as, HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development (additional fees required for certification packages).

Interested in bringing this certification to your community? Contact plo@everactive.org