My name is Larissa Costa, and I am a Support Coordinator with the YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange (SWSE), a national program offering opportunities for youth to improve their second official language skills, explore another part of Canada, and gain valuable work experience. Our program is federally funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, so it is offered at a minimal cost of $125. This fee includes transportation to and from Québec, as well as all program activities. This is an excellent and low-cost opportunity for youth to enhance their French skills through immersion.

Briefly, here is what this program offers to youth:

• The opportunity to live and work in a French-speaking community in Québec for 6 weeks
• Paid, full-time summer employment in the non-profit sector (camps, child care, museums, etc.)
• A reciprocal homestay – youth are hosted in each other’s homes to deepen the cultural exchange
• The support of local YMCA staff, who also coordinate weekly group activities
• New relationships and friendships that continue beyond the duration of the program

I would love to share this opportunity with your students through a lunchtime booth/kiosk, morning announcement, newsletter item, classroom presentations in grades 10-12, assembly, or other means of communication.

This year, we are also having Regional Information Nights where YMCA staff is presenting to parents/guardians, students, professors and etc, and providing some information about the program, as well as answering any questions that may come up. These initial Info sessions are planned to happen on February 25th at 8pm, and March 14th at 8pm CT. In the link below you’re able to attend the meeting, participants need to fill out the registration form (the links below) and you will receive a confirmation email with the zoom information.

February 25, 2022 @ 8 pm CT – https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwvdu6vqjMsGN3f_IsL8w6GMJdBCn_Ose2U 
March 14, 2022 @ 8 pm CT – https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYldO6tqzwsH9TDoSXddCom6fj8PPiPrgLQ 
I’ve also attached a digital flyer to this email, which you could use to promote the program to students, parents/guardians, anyone interested in participating.

Further information can be found on our website: www.summer-work.com

Sincerely,
Larissa Costa (she/her)
Support Coordinator, Okanagan (Kamloops, Vernon & Kelowna)
Summer Work Student Exchange (SWSE)