Youth Empowerment

Empowering youth to build the future they deserve

Young people see what’s working (and what’s not) in their communities. They live the impacts of inequity every day, but they also carry the ideas and energy to fix it.

The Youth Empowerment program helps turn that energy into action. We mentor and train racialized and newcomer youth to become system-focused leaders who advocate for themselves and others. Through art, storytelling, and community projects, youth explore the root causes of the issues they care about and learn the skills to create lasting change.

This program is for youth from ethnocultural communities who want to make a difference in their communities—and for partners who believe in supporting the next generation of changemakers.

The Latest

Highlight of Youth Justice Knowledge Mobilziation Event

Join our Youth Justice Project!

Equity in Education Youth Advocacy Table: Youth Voices Leading Systemic Change

The Latest

Highlight of Youth Justice Knowledge Mobilziation Event

Join our Youth Justice Project!

Equity in Education Youth Advocacy Table: Youth Voices Leading Systemic Change

Testimonials

“YCLT’s Policy Reflection sessions were the first time I had seen an organization foster such a welcoming and safe environment for the racialized youth to share their lived experiences and frustrations with the current socio-political systems. Engaging in those conversations has been an eye-opening experience that inspires me to break the confinements I subconsciously limit my thinking to and has made me resolute to work for equity and social justice.”

Project Youth Weave’s YCLT (Youth Community Leadership Team) member

“It is important to approach youth programming with a collaborative mindset, ensure a seat at the planning table, advocate for youth leadership, capacity building, remuneration and incentives, safe space to talk openly with people with similar life experiences. It is also important to create a space for ‘youth culture’ - to recognize that their nonverbal communication, social expectations, values, worries are unique for their generation.”

Black Youth Engaged in the BLACK (Becoming Leaders Acquiring Critical Knowledge) Project

Project Youth Weave’s YCLT (Youth Community Leadership Team) member

Black Youth Engaged in the BLACK (Becoming Leaders Acquiring Critical Knowledge) Project

Available Resources

Here to Stay Zine

A collection of BLACK youth lived experience with cultural dissonance and mental health.

Youth Legal Rights Handbook

This handbook provides youth with an overview of their rights at school, in the workplace, and when interacting with law enforcement.

Art for Change Catalogue

Catalog of art work collection by Black and Racialized youth reflecting their mental health as a tool for policy advocacy.

Grant Builder Workbook

Step-to-step instructions how to apply for grant to fund your community project.

Youth mental health leadership facilitator's guide

Guide for youth mental health leadership training.

Join our Work

Interested in our program? Share your lived experience, spread the word in your community, and join our program activities. Together, we can advance equity and advocate for systems change.