Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

The Shining Lighte (Leaders in Generational Healing Through Empowerment and Education) Youth Charity (SLYC) is a charity that provides educational programs and initiatives to underprivileged youth to allow access to successful futures while changing generational cycles. We offer professional development, keynote or motivational speaking and programs. The Shining Lighte Youth Charity provides education with targeted strategic support that is transformative to the community and to the youth it serves. At SLYC, we believe that educated, employed, engaged and healed young people possess the power to solve the world’s toughest problems. We take pride in connecting young people with opportunities to transform their lives and are dedicated to helping them achieve their goals.

 What problem does it aim to solve?

The purpose of the charity is to empower and heal underprivileged youth to overcome racialized and impoverished situations through educational programs/initiatives, mentorship, and community engagement and interactions.

Objectives:

– To increase the success levels in underprivileged communities and bring resources within reach of those who have no or limited resources

– To seek and develop opportunities and routes for those in need throughout the GTA and surrounding areas

– To create and promote connections between Shining Lighte Youth Charity and the education system, justice system, social system and other youth empowerment groups

When did you start/join it?

Started in the beginning of 2023!

What made you want to get involved?

I have always been in the non-profit sector and a community advocate so I joined a non-profit about 10 years ago. My passion grew with each year as I saw how being even more hands-on in the community could make a difference. In 2020 I went to Tanzania and decided that long term I would like to initiate a global movement and opened my own charity to slowly implement that in years to come.

What was the situation like when you started?

It was brand new. We started from scratch and built everything from the ground up. We are still in the process of doing that and recognize It will be a lifelong process with all our goals.

How has it changed since?

We are still in the growth and structure process in the charity, trying to collect resources, funding and staff but in the little time we have been around we have been ensuring that our 3 main programs (Life Skill, Drop-In, ReGenerating Our Roots) run annually in addition to our main events (Youth Discussion Panel, Healing Humanity Festival – which is coming up July 20th in Durham, Read-A-Thon, and back to school drives, along with drives for the homeless)

We also were able to have a great first annual fundraiser which will happen every year and are looking to expand into different areas in the GTA soon. (We primarily serve Peel at the moment)

What more needs to be done?

Right now our main focus is to be sustainable. We need to be able to run consistently, be in more locations and help more communities and their youth ensuring that we have a source of income coming in in addition to sponsorship and donations so that we can continue to offer our programs for free in top priority. We also need to find more dedicated and passionate staff to help us grow.

How can our readers help?

Support through donations, sponsorships, volunteering and spreading the word so more youth can get access to the programs.

Do you have any events coming up?

Healing Humanity Festival in July and our annual Read-a-thon in the month of August

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

Young Bosses In Business

The post Charitable Choices: Kandice Henry of Shining Lighte Youth Charity appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

Our mission is to support children and youth facing socio-economic barriers through experiential learning programs. Kids at Moorelands develop leadership, confidence, character, and skills to strengthen their emotional and social well-being.

We empower children and youth to succeed at home, at school, and in their communities.

Founded in 1912, Moorelands Kids has a storied history of empowering kids from low-income communities through hands-on experiential leadership development programs both in our City programs and at Moorelands Camp. As a leading experiential learning charity, Moorelands Kids is known for creating positive leadership and social pathways for children and youth facing socio-economic barriers to realize their potential to succeed at home, at school, and in their communities. Whether at Moorelands Camp or in our City programs, we empower marginalized children and youth from low-income communities with intentional leadership opportunities to develop valuable tools and skills that build confidence and character, while strengthening their physical, emotional, and social well-being.

What problem does it aim to solve?

Statistics clearly show that children and youth living in poverty can often fall off the grid, both at school and in society. Moorelands Kids creates positive, supportive, and fun environments where at-risk children and youth can learn, practice and apply the Moorelands’ unique Habits & Qualities of becoming a person of positive influence, thereby becoming leaders of change for themselves, as well as those around them. Through our programs, Moorelands Kids aims to nurture a generation of leaders ready to make a difference in their communities and beyond. By participating in our experiential leadership programs, kids are equipped to overcome socio-economic challenges, develop and demonstrate resiliency and responsibility, achieve their goals, and take pride in their accomplishments. Our goal is to enrich and advance the lives of these young people, helping them carve out their paths to success and, ultimately, foster healthier, stronger communities through their positive contributions.

When did you start/join it?

August 2022

What made you want to get involved?

Having worked in the charitable sector for 30 years, I was drawn to the work and mission of Moorelands Kids as a values-based organization. Working with families who might often be on the fringes of society, resonates with my own core belief in ensuring vulnerable children and youth are afforded opportunities to improve their life circumstances by growing in self-esteem so as to value themselves, knowing that others believe in them. This has been a tremendous opportunity for me to be able to invest my own skills and experience to bring about positive change for disadvantaged families, knowing that so many children and youth can realize their own unique potential to succeed in life through these leadership programs where staff and volunteers truly invest in them with dignity and respect. I believe that we are providing the tools needed for marginalized children and youth to thrive, and not just survive.

What was the situation like when you started?

In 2022 Moorelands Kids was facing the same reality as many other charities coming out of the pandemic, needing to build back and recover from the financial impacts of Covid and also rebuild in-person programs as they had pivoted to online virtual programming for the previous couple of years. We rallied the passion and expertise of our board, staff and volunteers in order to reconnect with the communities where our City programs were located, primarily NIA (Neighbourhood Improvement Areas) across Toronto where there are the highest levels of poverty. Although we had been present in these communities for many years prior to COVID-19, much had changed on the ground due to the isolation and transient nature of these communities. We also were dealing with heightened anxiety of parents worrying about their children entering group programs so we needed to invest a lot of time and resources to re-engage with families, schools, and other community networks to ensure kids could return to our programming, both in the City and at Moorelands Camp in the summer.

The other reality was that Moorelands Kids was facing a completely different economic landscape with funders, and so we needed to ensure financial stability for Moorelands Kids with our donors and partners. This has been an ongoing challenge and in my role as Director of Development and Communications, I needed to lean into new fundraising strategies in order to ensure financial stability and integrity for our organization. With guidance and support from the Executive Director and Moorelands Kids’ Board of Directors, we established some new approaches to fund development so as to move us forward in rebuilding funding pipelines as well as researching new funding opportunities.

How has it changed since?

In the face of economic uncertainty and societal challenges for the families we serve, Moorelands Kids has remained steadfast in its commitment to deliver quality experiential leadership programming, both in the City and at Moorelands Camp. We have returned to in-person programming which involved hiring of new staff and also onboarding some new approaches such as mental health certification training for staff, as we are now dealing with post-pandemic mental health issues for many of the children and youth we serve. We continue to engage with communities on the ground so as to ensure seamless accessibility to our programs, all of which are significantly subsidized, so as to eliminate any financial barriers for families wanting to register their children for City programs or for a one-week overnight experience at Moorelands Camp in the summer.

In 2023 Moorelands Kids implemented a new 5-year Strategic Plan with a focus on Growth, Modernization and Sustainability. Out of this, we have mapped out various priorities to grow our programs and by extension, grow the number of children and youth being served through these experiential leadership programs. We are investing in new tools to ensure our brand integrity remains strong and visible while undertaking new approaches in modernizing communications to advance positive outcomes in fundraising. As a leading learning charity with a track record of over 100 years of success, we continue to cultivate a strong sense of community between staff, families and donors, ensuring credibility in stewardship and sustainability, with fiscal responsibility.

What more needs to be done?

For over a century, Moorelands Kids has been trusted to create positive leadership and social pathways for more than 130,000 vulnerable children and youth. As we look to build on our heritage and history, we need to continue to invest in quality experiential leadership programming so as to reach more children and youth from low-income communities who feel isolated or disconnected, so as to bridge the opportunity gap for them to realize their potential to succeed. This calls for greater brand awareness for Moorelands Kids, so that we can continue to also establish new funding pipelines to support our efforts and ensure our sustainability into the future.

How can our readers help?

The truth is, that failing to invest in marginalized children and youth today, will lead to a greater social and economic divide tomorrow, affecting communities and society at large. Moorelands Kids is committed to closing these gaps, ensuring every young person has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. People can check out our website for more information. Please consider recommending our unique experiential leadership programs to low-income families who could benefit from them. Readers can also find information on how to support Moorelands Kids as a donor or indeed as a corporate partner. We thank the Moorelands community for their steadfast support, and look to build new relationships with those who wish to make a positive impact on disadvantaged children and youth.

Do you have any events coming up?

Although still in Winter mode, we are going forward with our campaign ‘Send a Kid to Camp’ or SAK as we call it. This campaign raises funds to ensure marginalized children and youth can go to Moorelands Camp in the summer for a one-week overnight leadership experience. This is a continuum of our curriculum in the City, but adapted to activities in nature over six weeks through the summer months. Most families we serve do not have the financial resources to access camp for their kids, but through this campaign, we raise funds so that we can significantly reduce that barrier for them. For instance, a family may pay as little as $35 for their child to go to Moorelands Camp for one week, whereas the true cost to us is $1780 as this includes costs such as transportation, food, accommodation, staffing and all the activities etc. Please stay tuned for more details on SAK through our website.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

I have two charities that I follow and like to hear about – Covenant House and Blue Door.

The post Charitable Choices: Colette Halferty of Moorelands Kids appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

PACT Music is an 8-week program running multiple times per year where youth can learn instruments, prepare for live band performances, practice songwriting, experience professional recording and learn from talented local guest teachers. All of this is completely free and students can join as many 8-week sessions as they’d like.

What problem does it aim to solve?

Music lessons and instruments can be expensive and inaccessible to many young people who could benefit from musical education. We are creating a space where any kid can come access our instrument library, learn new skills, develop increased self-esteem and experience the benefits of a cooperative and kind community arts setting.

When did you start/join it?

I began working with PACT Music in 2019.

What made you want to get involved?

I have always had a passion for working with youth and even considered a social work degree so that I could find a way to merge my love of art with some kind of healing practice for kids. I was so lucky that another musician in my community asked me to join the program thinking I would be a good fit. The longer I work with PACT the more I appreciate the benefits of creating a safe, supportive and creative space where kids can express themselves and grapple with the issues they face through creativity and community.

What was the situation like when you started?

I came into the program when it was already well established and hugely successful; many students have grown up with the organization and are now acting as peer support and teaching assistants to help guide the newer students and help them feel at home. Offering free extra-curricular activities to students as well as providing a “third-space” where they can relax, be with peers and be creative is such a beautiful gift to our community.

How has it changed since?

Since I joined the program we have developed a songwriting workshop where students learn writing and music techniques enabling them to express their thoughts and feelings in a healthy way. We have also recently partnered with a local music studio OSO; they have generously donated their time and skills so that once per session we can bring students in and give them a chance to record with top-of-the-line equipment engineered by experts in the field. Students can record their own music, covers, whatever they’d like – and also get a glimpse from OSO pros about what a career in creative post audio, music and sound design would look like.

What more needs to be done?

Families in Toronto need more support, especially during this financial crisis, from our government – including investments in schools, youth arts programs, youth mental health and benefits to parents to help with the rising cost of living expenses. There is so much to be done to make Toronto a better place to live for youth and families and we can only hope to be a small part of filling the gap for much-needed support for kids.

How can our readers help?

Spread the word! Our next 8-week session starts in May 2024 and will run once a week on Sunday from 12 pm-4 pm at our rehearsal space in Etobicoke. If you know someone aged 13-21 who loves music but is facing barriers to developing their skills, email us to get them registered!

Do you have any events coming up?

Our PACT Music students will be performing at a Big Fam Jam event in Kensington Market this summer – exact date TBA!

Where can we follow you?

Website | TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

Shine is an amazing organization awarding bursaries to young Toronto musicians facing financial barriers.

The post Charitable Choices: Julie Title of PACT Music appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

As the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays, Jays Care Foundation’s mission is to create a level playing field across Canada, where all children and youth have access to transformational sport and recreation opportunities that empower them to develop life skills, recognize their potential, and realize their dreams. Our belief is that all youth, regardless of ability, race, or socio-economic status should be able to participate in safe, inclusive, and fun programming that improves their physical and mental well-being and motivates them to stay active for life.

When did you start/join it? 

I’ve been a part of Jays Care since the beginning of 2023, but it feels as though I’ve been here for years because of how fulfilling the foundation and role have been for me.

What made you want to get involved?

When my parents immigrated to Canada from Nicaragua, their passion for baseball transcended borders. Settling in Vancouver, they adopted what they believed was “Canada’s Team,” the Toronto Blue Jays. Not having much and not knowing English, baseball was an avenue for them to create a sense of community and belonging. Consequently, I was born a Blue Jay and baseball became my own avenue to joy and connecting with my parents. Having them pitch to me is one of the earliest and fondest childhood memories I have.

Over the last year, I’ve learned so much about baseball’s social impact and the many programs that we at Jays Care utilize to provide children across Canada the opportunity to grow, learn and develop. I’ve never felt this kind of inspiration. Utilizing my career and education to continually grow in an environment where I could have a lasting influence on people, especially through an avenue that I love, has always been my priority. The opportunity to be a part of Jays Care ticked every box for me.

What was the situation like when you started?

In 2022, the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Canadian sport and play sector became increasingly evident. Pre-existing inequities were amplified as we witnessed a rise in the cost of programming, coupled with a significant reduction in the availability of organized sports and play-based initiatives. We listened firsthand to communities as they shared the profound effects this loss of sports and play had on children and youth, particularly for those most often left on the sidelines. In response to these pressing challenges, Jays Care set an ambitious goal: to bring sport and play-based programming to over 45,000 children and youth across Canada – enough to fill every seat in Rogers Centre. Thanks to the unwavering support of a dedicated group of generous donors, committed program partners, and passionate volunteers, Jays Care achieved the following milestones:

· Successfully trained 2,834 educators, coaches, and front-line staff in inclusive sports and play programming.

· Forged partnerships with 383 schools, 126 Challenger Baseball Leagues, 68 Boys and Girls Clubs, 101 Indigenous community partners, and 23 newcomer-serving organizations.

· Empowered 46,148 children and youth to actively participate in dynamic sports and play programming.

How has it changed since?

Throughout 2023, we’ve continued to support a return to sport and play across Canada, with an emphasis on getting children and youth most often left on the sidelines into the game. Our programs target four main beneficiary groups including girls, youth living with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, Indigenous youth, and youth living in under-resourced communities. This year, with the support of the Blue Jays Community, we are on target to engage with more than 50,000 children and youth, collaborate with 900 program partners, and provide training to over 3,000 educators, coaches, and frontline staff involved in Jays Care programming. As we look ahead to the coming year, we have set an ambitious goal of empowering 80,000 children and youth nationwide through the transformative power of baseball. To achieve this milestone, Jays Care plans to harness the expertise of our advisory team, expand our programs within schools and municipalities, continue supporting baseball associations, offer wrap-around support, and host spectacular events that promise unforgettable experiences for kids and families alike.

What more needs to be done?

Sports and play are incredibly versatile tools for learning, connection, growth, and trauma recovery. For kids, trauma-informed sport and play are the ultimate healers. Now, more than ever, this tool is needed to help our children recover and thrive. Participation in trauma-informed, inclusive sports and recreation programming is the ticket to post-pandemic recovery of children and youth’s mental and physical well-being. And yet, youth sport is not easily accessible or inclusive to a huge proportion of young people in Canada, most often, those living in historically marginalized communities. A 2016 study of 10 and 11-year-old children in Toronto found that children in low socio-economic status neighbourhoods had less access to physical activity resources (such as parks and trails, sports facilities, community centres and summer camps), and even when they were available, used them less frequently. (ParticipACTION, 2022). Additionally, cost keeps one in three Canadian children out of sports and extracurriculars (KidSport Canada), while one in three girls reported poor perceptions of belonging and feeling unwelcome as factors preventing them from continuing in sports (Canadian Women and Sport, 2020). Now is the time to usher in a ‘new inning’ of sport and play for children and youth where systemic barriers are addressed, enabling more young people to access programming where they feel included.

How can our readers help?

There’s always the option to donate. You can make a difference in the lives of children year-round by joining our monthly giving program, Community Champions for Youth.

Perhaps the biggest ‘win-win’ would be to participate in Jays Care’s 50/50 program. Jays Care’s 50/50 program is the largest in Major League Baseball, with fans having already taken home over $10 million this season. When you purchase a 50/50 ticket, you’ll not only have a chance to win a life-changing prize, but you’re also helping to change the lives of kids in your community and across Ontario. 50% of each ticket sold goes directly towards Jays Care programming in communities across Ontario. Those interested can purchase their tickets by clicking here.

Where can we follow you?

To stay up-to-date on the latest news and stories from Jays Care, sign up for our newsletter and follow Jays Care on Instagram and Facebook.

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

· Canucks Autism Network – partner with us on Challenger Baseball

· PEI Women’s Network – partner with us on Girls At Bat

· Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association – partner with us on Girls At Bat

The post Charitable Choices: Rodrigo Cuadra of the Jays Care Foundation appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

I founded the Green Career Centre, a youth-led non-profit organization whose mission is to prepare underrepresented youth for green careers. With a focus on supporting BIPOC, newcomers and women, the Green Career Centre works by and for these communities to bridge the gap between equitable, accessible and transparent social and environmental employment opportunities. Our key areas and initiatives include hosting green career events, conducting innovative participatory and community-centred research, and developing useful and impactful resources. As a team, we are committed to the principle of “nothing for us, without us.” which is why we always consult with the communities we represent and serve when developing resources, events, and programs. By doing so, we ensure that our work is responsive and representative of community needs. To further highlight these needs, we develop research briefs and consider strategies for addressing them effectively.

What problem does it aim to solve?

My work at the Green Career Centre aims to bridge the green skills gap and fill the need for us to tackle the unemployment and climate crisis at the same time. We aim to serve those disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis including BIPOC, newcomers and women.

When did you start/join it?

I have been leading the Green Career Centre as a volunteer for more than five years. Initially, we had a focus on environmental entrepreneurship, but as a result of my research project during my final year at university that focused on the equity concerns that underrepresented youth had in breaking into the sustainability sector, we pivoted our focus. Through funding support I received from the research office and experiential education office at my university, I was able to host a webinar, focus groups and an interview to gather insights about these concerns. All my research insights culminated in a policy brief where I had the opportunity to present my findings to policymakers at Natural Resources Canada. There, I attempted to influence the inclusion of underrepresented youth in their policies and employment programs. I was so happy to see that my recommendation on lifting the cap on the number of hours that international students were restricted to working was eventually temporarily lifted for a year. Due to growing demand and attention on these issues, the Green Career Centre was born.

What made you want to get involved?

Ever since I experienced bullying in high school, I sought to invest my energies into making a positive change in the world. I was really fascinated by several social and environmental impact documentaries at the time including A Human Experiment, The True Cost and Food Inc. and wanted to make a difference in my community. I learned so much about regenerative agriculture, sustainable fashion, minimalist lifestyles, exploitative industries and more. After watching each documentary I always felt compelled to make a change in my community.

I am forever grateful for the incredible volunteers and staff that we’ve had at the Green Career Centre, including Sooryavansh Seewoosungkur, and the 60+ folks we’ve had the honour of training, mentoring and coaching over the years. Without Sooryavansh’s exceptional leadership and our incredibly dedicated and hard-working team, the work we do would not be possible.

What was the situation like when you started?

When I first got involved in this work I felt like there was so much potential to scale this work and make involve more underrepresented youth in the green jobs movement even more than it actually is.

How has it changed since?

There is a call to invest $1 billion in funding for a Youth Climate Corps, a federally funded job training and placement program, and the Green Career Centre really wants to make it happen. By investing in youth, empowering them with valuable skills, and addressing climate change head-on, we can simultaneously adapt to and mitigate climate change’s destructive effects, paving the way to a more sustainable future for all.

What more needs to be done?

I have seen time and time again many underrepresented youth struggle with funding to expand the impact of their grassroots activism, initiatives and organizations. I truly want to make strides to shape the environmental philanthropy system in what is currently Canada as there are undoubtedly too many flaws and barriers for marginalized folks and grassroots groups to continue on with their impact. I will be working on a super exciting cellphilm research project this fall through my Master of Environmental Studies Program that will aim to address this issue. If you’re interested in getting involved in the study email me.

How can our readers help?

Readers who have the financial means to do so can help by donating to the Green Career Centre. We are always in need of funding and connections to donors. If you identify as an underrepresented youth and are looking for a meaningful experience, volunteer with us, apply for our paid internships or join our Youth Green Jobs Network. If you’re an employer, read our Green Equity Guide to learn more about sustainable workplace practices, use our Wage Subsidy Matching Tool to find funding for your staff, and promote your jobs in our network.

Do you have any events coming up?

We do run events year-round including workshops, webinars and an annual career fair. Our annual Green Career Fair is set to take place on January 18th next year in partnership with the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. We are also hosting a Sustainable Jobs Plan webinar on November 30th. Check out the Green Career Centre’s event page to register for our up and coming events!

Where can we follow you?

You can find me on LinkedIn. Follow the Green Career Centre on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, and visit our website for more information.

The post Charitable Choices: Lauren Castelino of the Green Career Centre appeared first on Toronto Guardian.