Issue link: https://takingitglobal.uberflip.com/i/1360369
52 PARTNER REFLECTIONS PARTNER REFLECTIONS During our Celebration Events between February and March 2021, we invited partner organizations to reflect on their experiences and highlight lessons learned. The following key themes emerged from the harvest. How organizations and the youth they work with are experiencing and adapting during COVID: Overall, youth and organizations are creative and are finding ways to problem solve in an uncertain time. It was also acknowledged that there have been feelings of youth and staff being tired and feeling disconnected. Many also expressed feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, frustrated and concerned about the future. Youth were feeling stressed out during the pandemic, but found that volunteering and supporting others helps them help themselves cope in a difficult situation. Most importantly, participants indicated feeling a sense of belonging and have found support from their community through the participation in the projects and activities organized together. Sentiments shared in these regards were, feeling inspired, empowered, optimistic, eager, excited. Some responses focused a lot on self-awareness, rationality, resilience and an understanding that their feelings and emotions are valid. That it is okay to experience whatever it is they're feeling. There was overall a tone of acceptance that expressing feelings is not a bad thing, and if one is not okay, it is okay to say so - this was also centred around a theme of asking for help. Required supports: Youth voiced the importance of organizations finding and supporting youth leaders across communities, and these leaders potentially being an additional point of reference or contact for them. The buzz word during one Harvest sesion was on "how." How to ask for help, I wish I could learn how to manage a hectic schedule when stress is so loud; I wish I knew how to rest properly, How long will this last, How to be still and be in tune with yourself. This was also aligned with the need for connectivity with other youth due to feelings of uncertainty and the isolation resulting from the pandemic. PARTNER APPRECIATION PARTNER APPRECIATION PARTNER APPRECIATION