Celebrating 5 Years of
May 7 & 8, 2009
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario
Thanks to all who attended!  Information from the keynote presentations, learning sessions and other conference learnings has been posted.  Many valuable links and resoruces are posted in the sections below in order to continue the sharing of great resources and ideas - check it out!
Media Coverage
The Waterloo Chronicle ran a great article on Wednesday May 20, 2009.	On Their Level Article
Fun Stuff
Throughout the conference participants took part in a number of Energizers and we have provided the instructions to a few for your reference.   The 'Inspiration Celebration' was an opportunity to share amazing ideas for helping Canadian kids thrive.  Participation was open to all paid registrants and presenters at the Helping Canadian Kids Thrive! 2009 Conference.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate the projects, communities and initiatives that are happening across the country - including yours!	My Body Lies Over the Sofa (courtesy of Participaction) Inspiration Celebration
Pre Conference Sessions
Community Mobilization - Capacity Building How Asset-Based Policing is Making a Difference A Two-Day Worksop for Police Offiers May 5th & 6th, 2009 Wilfrid Laurier University	Click here to access resources for Police Services that have been gathered form the gatherings Thrive! has hosted.
Keynote Presentations
We heard from 'Real People' who are doing great things in communities just like yours.  The shared what inspired them to take action and learn from their achievements, life lessons and wisdom.  To view the presentation descriptions and resources please click on the links provided.	Keynote Presenters
Learning Sessions
Thank you to all of our presenters!  Please check back in the coming weeks to view some of the presentations and to access addtional resources that were shared in the sessions. Sessions were geared to the following audiences - Youth - geared to youth participation and youth engagement Asset Building - focusing on Asset Building as a key component to the project or concept presented. Community Stories & Tools – sharing stories, lessons learned from communities across the country, tools and processes that can aid communities in their positive youth development efforts. Education - geared toward participants who are involved in education and schools. Families - focusing on tools, topics and support for families, and family-serving agencies. Health & Recreation - geared to healthy living and recreation. Policing - includes material about Asset Building and community development from a police perspective. Research – focusing on research and methods for evaluation related to Asset Building and positive youth development.	Learning Session Schedule and Descriptions Learning Session Resources
Displays and Sponsorship
We gratefully acknowledge the support of these wonderful organizations and individuals who made this conference possible! Conference Champions: Guelph Lions Club KW Community Spirit Lions Club Kitchener Pioneer Lions Club Other Sponsors: The Alliance for Children and Youth of Waterloo Region Bingeman’s Grand Experiences Home Hardware – Head Office Sweaburg Lions Club Woolwich Lions Club St. Jacobs Lions Club Brantview Apples & Cider Dare Cookies Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario Twin City-Dwyer Printing Limited Silent Auction Donors – partial list Board of Directors (Quest Life Skills Inc.) Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) S C Johnson – A Family Company (Head Office) Home Hardware (Head Office) Lion Nancy Ransom RTS Plastics Starbuck’s Coffee Company Charles Jones Industrial Supply (Cambridge Office)