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"On the Road" Youth Mentorship and Self-Development Project
Introduction To Project
In alignment with the City of Edmonton's Anti-Racism Strategy, we are launching a year-long initiative dedicated truly to the "others" yes, Black indginous and all peoples of color. This is truly re-imagined, a program where all our "other youths" come together and celebrate what so often divides us. This program is geared towards empowering Black Canadian youth, immigrants, indiginous youth and newcomers. This program is designed to foster leadership, promote cultural understanding, and actively combat racism within our community. By equipping participants with the tools and knowledge to challenge systemic barriers, we aim to cultivate a more inclusive and equitable Edmonton.
Our initiative is designed to empower marginalised Canadian youth, immigrants, and newcomers in Edmonton by fostering leadership, promoting cultural understanding, and actively combating racism. We aim to achieve this through a hybrid mentorship model that combines bi-weekly in-person workshops with continuous virtual engagement. By collaborating with recreational centers, schools, and community organizations, we ensure accessibility and inclusivity, meeting youth where they are and providing tailored support to address their unique challenges.This program is meeting the youth where they are, yes, we are meeting them wherever they are MENTALLY, EMOTIONALLY, SPIRITUALLY, GEOGRAPHICALLY, and in the spaces where they are most comfortable to shine, yes those spaces where "typical leaders" shy away from. This was built by "OTHERS" for "OTHERS"
Understanding of Scope, Objectives, Priorities, and Requirements
We recognize the multifaceted challenges faced by our target demographic, including systemic racism, cultural dislocation, and socioeconomic barriers. Our program is structured to address these issues by:
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Providing Culturally Relevant Mentorship: Connecting youth with mentors who share similar cultural backgrounds and experiences to foster trust and relatability.
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Enhancing Accessibility: Utilizing community spaces and a hybrid model to remove barriers to participation.
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Promoting Anti-Racism Education: Incorporating discussions and activities that challenge systemic racism and encourage advocacy.
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Measuring Impact: Implementing robust data collection methods to monitor progress and inform continuous improvement.
Critical Success Factors
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Strong Community Partnerships: Collaborations with local organizations to facilitate referrals and provide venues.
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Engaged and Trained Mentors: Recruitment and continuous training of mentors to ensure effective guidance.
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Comprehensive Data Management: Accurate tracking of participant progress to assess program effectiveness.
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Resource Allocation: Efficient management of resources to maintain program sustainability.
The Need: Addressing Systemic Barriers
Statistical evidence highlights the barriers preventing Black Canadian and immigrant/newcomer youth from accessing conventional social services:
70% of Black Canadians report experiencing racial discrimination in social and institutional settings. (Statistics Canada, 2021)
Over 60% of Black youth in Edmonton feel underrepresented in local service providers and mentorship programs. (Community Engagement Survey, 2023)
Less than 30% of Black and immigrant youth utilize existing youth programs due to a lack of cultural relevance and perceived exclusion.
Unemployment rates among Black youth in Canada are nearly double the national average. (Canada Labour Force Survey, 2022)
Many immigrant families face language barriers and a lack of culturally appropriate services, limiting their engagement with existing social programs.
Empower
Program Objectives and Implementation
Support Youth
Our programs empower young individuals to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Through mentorship and self-development initiatives, we aim to boost educational outcomes, enhance social well-being, and empower families in need.
Inspire
Transform Lives
EL Shama Cares inspires positive change by providing support and guidance to marginalized youth. We believe in the transformative power of education and mentorship to create a brighter future for young individuals and their communities.
Engage
Community Involvement
Our community engagement programs foster collaboration and empowerment among Black families. By promoting education, social integration, and self-reliance, we strive to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
Coming Up
Coming Up
OUR PROGRAM KICK START AT MEADOWS REC CENTRE WITH THE FOLLOWING EVENTS
Stay tuned dates for Millswoods, Bonnie Doon, and Booster Juice Rec Centres
What Sets This Program Apart?
Empowering youth through 6 Program Objectives and Implementation, offering support in 4 General Program Components.
Community-Integrated & Referral-Based
Unlike traditional mentorship programs, we work in tandem with recreational centres, schools, and other community social organizations. These partnerships serve two key functions:
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Referral Networks: Schools and community organizations can refer youth who would benefit from our program.
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Accessible Workshop Spaces: We use stakeholder facilities to host bi-weekly in-person workshops, ensuring youth can engage in a familiar and supportive environment.
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Engaging Mentorship: Each workshop includes mentors delivering motivational speeches or guiding youth through structured discussions on topics that align with the program’s goals.
Hybrid Model for Continuous Engagement
Our program bridges the gap between in-person and virtual support to ensure continuous mentorship:
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Every in-person workshop is followed up with a virtual session, reinforcing lessons and allowing youth to process and apply what they’ve learned.
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Participants gain access to a read-only chat room where mentors share daily motivation, career tips, and educational videos.
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The next in-person meeting builds on these virtual interactions, creating seamless and ongoing engagement.
Mobile ‘Pop-Up’ Youth Engagement – Taking the Program to the Youth
Traditional youth mentorship programs expect participants to come to them—we flip the script by bringing the program directly to where youth naturally gather.
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Pop-Up Events: Whether it’s a basketball tournament in a rec centre, a wellness fair in a school gymnasium, or a community gathering at a social hub, we create exciting, inclusive spaces where both sheltered and unsheltered youth can coexist and inspire one another.
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Youth Igniting Youth: This model fosters peer-driven motivation, allowing youth from different backgrounds to connect, learn from one another, and find inspiration in shared experiences.