C.A.N. Conference Provides Networking Opportunities for Durham Youth

DRPS' 70 Youth In Policing students wrapped up their program with one final initiative, the C.A.N. Conference on August 24, 2022.

The C.A.N. (Community. Advocacy. Networking) Conference focused on providing soon-to-be graduating YIP students an opportunity to learn useful employment skills including interview best practices, resume checks, and time management tricks. .

The theme for this year’s conference was Building Your Own Path: You CAN, to highlight the importance of taking initiative and the breadth of opportunities available within  Durham Region. Seventeen-year-old speaker Sarah Syed kicked the day off with a motivational speech about project development and pursuing your passions.

As the first in-person public C.A.N. Conference, the afternoon portion saw 100+ youth from Durham Region visiting over 20 booths providing an opportunity to network and connect with volunteer, employment, and support opportunities. Booths included long-standing YIP partners including the YMCA, Ontario Power Generation, Durham Family Cultural Services, Whitby Public Library, Footprints4Autism, Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre, YouthOrpha, Toastmasters, North House, Carea, the Whitby Fire Department, LA Fitness, Youth Initiatives Durham, Alzheimer’s Society, Oshawa Public Library, Boys and Girls Club, Durham Regional Police Service’s Recruiting Unit, Durham Aces Association, the YMCA PlayOn Program, John Howard Society, and Ontario Provincial Police.

All attendees received a DRPS swag bag including resources for job searches, building positive mental health habits, and professional development tools. Youth could explore OPP vehicles, Whitby Fire Department Fire Trucks, and an Ontario Power Generation Fire and Security Vehicle.

A massive thank you to all our community partners for joining YIP in providing this opportunity to youth across Durham Region.