Issue link: https://takingitglobal.uberflip.com/i/1360369
53 Participants also spoke about expanded understandings of relationship building with youth and focusing on understanding not just where youth were reachable, but also through whom they were reachable - that connecting with parents or guardians was sometimes the best way to reach youth or access them through their peers. In all cases, a focus on understanding where trust and comfort may already exist for youth and approaching them on terms that were cognizant of that and favourable to them was key. Recommendations: Technological awareness, and cognizance of the fact that some channels may be preferred by youth but unavailable (high-speed internet, for example), where others may not be ideal but the only options available (online-only programming for some youth, in-person programming for others - no one-size-fits-all- youth options). Online tools have increased accessibility/reaching more youth through virtual programming has been great but not all youth are reached since some have no access to wifi/are disconnected so also considering alternative ways such as phone calls to maintain connections. Flexibility in delivering youth programs is so crucial. Creating responsive measures and deadlines around projects, funding opportunities, resources, and events to respect youth boundaries and avoid burnout. Youth are seeking support & understanding as much as they are seeking programs & services. Adaptability was on the minds of many of the youth workers - comments about boundary and capacity were first and foremost, as youth-facing workers acknowledged a need to understand that the pandemic and lockdown have affected the emotional ability of some youth members to engage at all and that new channels and opportunities for engagement needed to be matched by an acute knowledge of their youth's capabilities and capacities, and significant flexibility to tailor that youth-by-youth. Not being rigid or inflexible with time, avenues of engagement and outcomes was key in ensuring that youth felt that support was not being withheld, made inaccessible, or not the right 'fit' for them. Self-Care and Well-Being - Taking care of ourselves as youth-facing workers is necessary to support youth (e.g. keeping a routine, taking frequent walks, collaboration, etc.). PARTNER APPRECIATION PARTNER APPRECIATION PARTNER APPRECIATION