About Us

Our Heart

Incorporated as a non-profit association in May 2003, Courage for Youth is dedicated to creating a culture that supports, nurtures, and protects young people. We concentrate our activities in the Okanagan Valley of BC, with a focus on Kelowna.

Courage for Youth is proactive and solution-oriented. Our desire is to strengthen young peoples' self-esteem, to prevent relational aggression, and to thwart suicide, depression, eating disorders, poor self image, loneliness, and poisonous media influence. Prevention is far more cost effective than intervention!

Because professionals and theorists agree that significant relationships are crucial for children's development, Courage for Youth offers programs not only for young people but also for adults. Courage for Youth relies heavily on mentoring and small group models.

Courage for Youth does not operate in isolation. We partner with community organizations, schools, churches, and families to work toward systemic change in the social norms of youth.

Courage for Youth recently became Canada's first Ophelia Sister Project. The Ophelia Project®, founded in 1997 in Erie, PA, is dedicated to creating an emotionally, physically and socially safe culture where girls are respected and nurtured. Through our association with Ophelia, we are able to take advantage of their expertise and experience, as well as their programs and resources.

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Our Board

The Board of Courage for Youth includes professionals and counsellors who direct and maintain our established values and ensure accountability. Our 2006 Board members are:

• M. Alison Apps, Secretary
• Gaylene Degruchy, Past President/Member at Large
• Marvin Krank, Member at Large
• Kim McCrea, Member at Large
• Ramona B. Sousa, President
• Carolyn Stober, Vice President
• Jennifer L. Warawa, Treasurer
• Wendy J. Wiens, Member at Large

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Our Founder & Executive Director

Debra Walker (BA) is an ambitious problem solver with over 26 years experience in both business and non-profit organizations. Her life-coaching skills are backed with several years experience leading seminars and small groups, directing youth and women's groups, and working in management, sales, and marketing.

As a mother of two young teenage children, her recent completion of the Ophelia Continuing Professional Education Training in Erie, PA has evoked the passion and vision to bring this culture-awakening project to Canada.

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Our Core Volunteer Team

• Carolyn Stober, Counsellor; Program Creation/Research (MA, CCC)
• Val Fichtner, Events Administrator (BSc, BBA, CAPM, MCP)
• Brenda Montani, Resource Consultant (BEd., MSc., RCC)
• Ursula Wedmann, Webmaster (BA, Dipl. CIS)

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