History of the ALA Youth Exchange

The Active Living Alliance Youth Exchange is about more than disabilities. It is about developing self-confidence, inner strength, new skills, a wider social network and the ability to become a leader in one’s community. The Youth Exchange provides Canadian youth with disabilities something else they rarely receive: anonymity.

A brief history of the event

• 2000, The YMCA Youth Exchanges program*, contacts the Active Living Alliance to discuss ways of developing programs for youth with disabilities through the YMCA’s preexisting Exchanges Program

• 2001, The Active Living Alliance holds its first Youth Exchange at Brock University, in conjunction with its National Conference.

• 2001, the Active Living Alliance develops a document highlighting various aspects of the event, as well as a best-practises manual for the YMCA Youth Exchanges Program

• 2001, YMCA Youth Exchanges recognises value in the Youth Exchange, and encourages the Active Living Alliance to develop the program for the following year 2001-2002, Youth Exchange continues to grow as people in Ottawa and across Canada learn about the event.

• 2003, The Youth Exchange hosts 89 attendees. During the event, the Active Living Alliance unveiled its YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM, which supports the youth in attendance upon completion of the exchange, by giving them the tools needed to work for change/equality within their community based on what they feel is appropriate.

• 2006, The Youth Exchange develops a newer, and more exciting version of the ambassador program to coincide with the 2006 Youth Exchange.

* The YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada program is funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage.

For more information on the 2008 Youth Exchange or the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability, contact Nadia Smith at 1-800-771-0663 xt.23 or TTY 1-866-771-0663, email at nadia@ala.ca, or log on at http://www.youthambassadors.ca/ye08/index.html.

The ALACD is a national, non-profit organization formed in 1989. It has 20 national partners and works in every province and territory to promote healthy and active living for Canadians with disabilities.

Would you like to support the Youth Exchange?
To make an online donation to the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability, click on the "Donate Now" icon or visit the following link: Make a donation.