My name is Dimitri and here is my story about the Visions Conference in Port Coquitlam.
Held on Saturday Nov 5, the Visions conference had over 120 people gather.
Parents and youth came together to learn about transition. Topics included self-determination, jobs, and community connection.
I emcee’d the morning welcome. I told everyone one about the conference and we showed a video about transition.
We talked about what people are doing these days. I shared about going to college and my dream to be a teacher assistant.
After the initial chat with parents and youth, we split off into two separate streams.
The parents learned about self-determination, high school planning, and dreaming for our future.
The youth learned about each other’s lives (Ted Talk style), self-determination, stress busting, and heard from three senior mentors.
The youth also made dream boards, played ice breakers, and had a dance party! Parents and youth came together for lunch (Kudoz hosted a table ice breaker game) and for a marketplace
at the end of the day showcasing self-advocate entrepreneurs, community supports, and service providers.
This conference is hosted by Simon Fraser for Community Living in partnership with Community Living BC, Community Integration Services Society, Community Ventures Society, School District 43, and SHARE Community Services.
I really appreciate the opportunity to take leadership roles like emcee’ing for events.
I also love being part of Simon Fraser Society for Community Living’s youth leadership group.
I believe that these connections and working with my family on dreaming for my future are so important.
I hope that everyone gets this support and encouragement to be leaders in our own lives.
