The keynote presentation will discuss the origins, the intent, current and intended future of the program by exploring the ingredients of its secret sauce, the PYOWs themselves 

The session aims to provide insights and strategies needed to unlock the full potential of managing teams and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. 

What to Expect

A unique opportunity to reshape leadership philosophy, moving beyond conventional practices to embrace a mindset that values empowerment and agility.  

Learning Outcomes

• Cultivation of Empowering Leadership

• Enhanced Team Dynamics and Ownership

• Strategic Leadership and Organizational Insight

• Adoption of New Perspectives and Frameworks

Since the mid 20th century “street or gang work” has become a popular tool amongst government/state agencies, non-profits and other community stakeholders in their attempts to quell the so-called gang problem in contemporary society. That said, little is known about street/gang work, including the challenges that youth workers face in the highly complex arena of the ‘streetz’. 

Learning Outcomes

This session will provide important information that will assist youth workers in their work-related duties, including a discussion of the:

• Historical context of ‘gang’s/definitional dilemmas;

• G-code and the ethics of street work;

• The challenges/barriers in working with youth/adults returning home from incarceration.

• Provides knowledge from both academics and people with lived experience of marginalization/criminalization, a street/gang life and incarceration. 

This session will focus on the unique risk factors for youth and best practices for offering support to survivors of trafficking. The goal of the session is to provide an engaging discussion on building trust and gain insights into the journey to recovery through lived experiences. 

Learning Outcomes

• Increased awareness and understanding of human trafficking among participants

• Empowerment to recognize signs of trafficking and take appropriate action

• Enhanced capacity to provide effective support and assistance to survivors

• Strengthened commitment to building trust, actively listening, and reaching into the environments of youth affected by trafficking

• Continued collaboration and advocacy efforts to combat trafficking and support survivors effectively

It is so easy to forget our 'Why' when we are caught up in our day-to-day challenges. Our 'Why' is what grounds us and roots us in our purpose.

So many of us see these challenges as problems and sometimes, we take them personally. We forget that these challenges are really opportunities for growth.

Learning Outcomes

This session will take the audience through a journey of centering themselves in their day-to-day challenges and extracting the lessons and blessings that come from these challenges. Through purpose driven reflection, storytelling and poetry, the audience will have an opportunity to reflect on best practices and ground themselves in the power of their work.