Prelude - A game of discovery and learning.

Richmond Youth Services Agency

November 30, 2006

Richmond Youth Service Agency (RYSA) is an accredited, charitable organization with a 30-year history of providing a variety of responsive programs and services meeting the needs of children and youth in Richmond. RYSA’s mission is to be a leading provider of programs and services that are responsive to the diverse needs of Richmond youth. RYSA is recognized as an innovator in youth programs and services working in collaboration with a variety of local, regional, provincial and national partners, community agencies and businesses.

Location: Delta Richmond, British Columbia

Website: www.rysa.bc.ca

Program: Skills Link Employment Program

Description: In late 2005 and throughout 2006, RYSA piloted the first versions of the learning game that would eventually be called Prelude. It was introduced at the start of RYSA’s Skills Link Employment Program. A RYSA youth intake typically consists of about 15-20 youth [aged 15-25] characterized as ‘at risk’. These youth intakes are diverse in terms of culture, ethnicity, language capacity, schooling, and socioeconomic status. RYSA counsellors noted that the subsequent eight-week training process was enhanced and more positive for both youth cohorts; and retention rates were found to be higher than typical.

In 2006-07 RYSA and Heliotrope explored practical ways for the game to be marketed through RYSA to other community agencies throughout British Columbia. The Enterprising Non Profit Fund provided a grant for a feasibility study. Ultimately this idea proved impractical but a great deal was learned by stakeholders and significant goodwill was generated.

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