Katimavik and Summer Program

Katimavik is back! Apparently it got it's funding back three months ago, but I didn't realize until I recently got an email asking me to make a financial contribution. Since it had it's funding cut, Katimavik has been able to somewhat maintain it's existence by hosting small group projects funded by donations. However, those projects were more similar to my experience with Ways2Work than than Katimavik. The groups would be focused in one area and be made of local youth, the programs were shortened, and there would be some specific goal. I think they had one for struggling youth in Quebec, and an environment focused one in British Colombia.

But now it's back in it's proper format! Government funded, six months, split over two rotations. It's not back to it's former glory, however. They had three different program themes to choose between back when I did it. I think my theme was cultural integration and civic engagement. Now the only available program is language themed. Three months in an English speaking region, and three months in a French speaking one.

Also, participants are encouraged to fundraise to cover a portion of the cost of the trip, similar to what was requested of me in Canada World Youth. So obviously, the government funding isn't as significant as it was before, but they've just confirmed their second set since launch, so I'm very, very hopeful. Justin Trudeau was a former Katimavik Project Leader and literally won a boxing match against a politician opposed to funding the program, based largely on the decision to cut funding, so I've been hoping for this.

I got accepted for my old Summer Program position. I didn't get the promotion I was going for, but they gave me a raise and a modified contract "In acknowledgement of the three years I've served the Summer Program, and with the expectation that I will serve a leadership role for those new to the position". Still a little frustrated, but I was pragmatic enough to realize that if I didn't take the position, that I would just go back to my group home work, and every time I was being assaulted, I would think "I could be playing duck duck goose right now..."

I'm going to be training the Summer Program in Safe Management, which is going to be a weird dynamic. I don't know if I'm going to be paid double because I'm serving two roles, or if I will have to volunteer twelve hours of my time at the end of the summer because for twelve hours, I'm technically not on duty as a Summer Program Leader because I'm busy teaching them.