It’s that time of the year again!  Even though we appreciate the hard work that Child and Youth Workers (CYWs) and Child and Youth Counsellors (CYCs) do regularly, we can now share that appreciation throughout the province with the 2012 Krista Sepp Memorial Award.

The Krista Sepp Memorial Award was established in 1991 in memory of Krista Sepp, who lost her life on February 3, 1989 while performing her duties as a CYC. Still new to the profession, Krista was determined to make a difference in a high risk and often undervalued industry.

The Krista Sepp Memorial Award is awarded to CYWs and CYCs who share Krista’s passion.

Sometimes we often forget that Krista is not just the namesake of our award but also a young person who was passionate about helping others and even more passionate about youth. In her work, Krista consistently demonstrated empathy, enthusiasm, idealism, a thirst for knowledge, and a keenness to apply theory to practice. At just 21, she was important to our agency and to her team,  and her loss was tragic.

While the loss of Krista was devastating for so many of us, it made us take a step forward.  As a sector, we have established firm standards of practice that have ensured the increased safety of both the staff and clients in residential facilities, group homes and young justice facilities.

We’ve also come to realize the very valuable part that CYW’s play in the lives of children, youth and families. Nominated by their colleagues, Krista Sepp Memorial Award recipients join the ranks of some of the most dedicated and passionate CYWs and CYCs in the field.  With the Horizon Award  being presented to a someone relatively new to the profession and the Mentoring Award recognizing the contributions of an experienced CYW or CYC , we can both  acknowledge the hard work of those who have been in the field for years,  and also  commend the hard work of those who have just begun their careers.

Nominations have already begun for the 2012 Awards, and you can nominate your favourite CYW or CYC online now by visiting, https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SXVL2CZ

For more information on the Krista Sepp Memorial Award or information on when and where this year's ceremony will be held, please click here

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