YEP News

Students are learning to teach their parents how to manage waste

Thanks to a Waste Reduction Community Grant by the City of Toronto, a few months ago we launched an environmental program at a few local elementary school. We taught students how to improve their waste management so that they can teach their parents/families about it too.

A lot of newcomer adults aren’t always aware of how do things such as recycle, and existing campaigns you’d find in the subway or bus, for example, are only in English - so they aren't accessible to everyone. That's why we thought it would be a great idea to kids to teach their parents!

The way it works is simple. We go to school classrooms, we teach the kids about certain environmental practices, we give them a task where they have to go home and teach their parents, we talk about it the next time we see them, and the process repeats. We're getting kids to teach parents about recycling. about using less disposable products and switching to reusable containers, hazardous waste, and many more things.

We were so surprised that the kids (as young as Grade 3!) were very aware about environmental issues in Toronto, as well as environmental practices in other countries as well. One student knew about India’s waste management system and certain policies that they had in place. Another student knew about the dangers of single-use items and how Starbucks doesn't provide plastic straws anymore.

These kids are phenomenal and we’re pleased that they’ll be the next wave of environmental leaders.

This project is supported by the City of Toronto through the Waste Reduction Community Grants program. The grants provide funding for innovative community based projects that reduce residential waste and increase participation in the City’s waste diversion programs.

YEP & GizmoGrind partner to teach mobile devices to adults and seniors

For years, Youth Empowering Parents has been engaging young people in communities across Toronto to provide 1-on-1 teaching to local adults and seniors. Programs operate in pre-existing community facilitates; for example, a computer course would take place at a local school or library, where computer equipment already exists.

A new partnership with GizmoGrind will help YEP bring its programming to areas that lack the requisite community infrastructure for digital literacy training.

GizmoGrind, an online platform allowing the quick sale of Smartphones for business and consumers of iPhones and Androids, has supplied YEP with smartphone and tablet devices. The partnership will allow hundreds of under-served Torontonians to participate in digital literacy training, particularly those living in areas with limited access to technology, as well as to seniors with mobility challenges.

“There is no training program in my neighbourhood so it is really helpful to have this opportunity,” says Eva, one of YEP’s adult participants (pictured below, left).

Santosh, a senior participant, is excited for the opportunity to learn technology for the first time. Mobile devices from GizmoGrand will allow digital literacy training to take place directly in her building, where over 80 seniors live. “It’s hard for us to travel to a program somewhere else. It’s great that we will be able to learn this right in our building. There are so many of us who are interested.”

“Being a part of something that has shown its ability to increase the potential for employment, as well as improve community bonds by using families to train each other, is quite heartwarming,” says Ahmed Bafagih, founder of GizmoGrind. “I grew up in one of YEP’s communities, and YEP is making an impact improving the lives of people who are part of my community.”

About GizmoGrind

GizmoGrind is an online platform allowing the quick sale of Smartphones for business and consumers of iPhones and Androids. (You can only sell online to us, you can’t buy a phone through GizmoGrind)

Users of GizmoGrind can get an instant quote for their used phone online and we facilitate all shipping from all over Canada. Once we receive the device, we assess and send payment online. The whole process takes about 3 days.

GizmoGrind plants one tree for every device sold through our onetreeplanted.org partnership.

To learn more about GizmoGrind, visit: https://www.gizmogrind.ca/

YEP & GizmoGrind partner to teach mobile devices to adults and seniors

For years, Youth Empowering Parents has been engaging young people in communities across Toronto to provide 1-on-1 teaching to local adults and seniors. Programs operate in pre-existing community facilitates; for example, a computer course would take place at a local school or library, where computer equipment already exists.

A new partnership with GizmoGrind will help YEP bring its programming to areas that lack the requisite community infrastructure for digital literacy training.

GizmoGrind, an online platform allowing the quick sale of Smartphones for business and consumers of iPhones and Androids, has supplied YEP with smartphone and tablet devices. The partnership will allow hundreds of under-served Torontonians to participate in digital literacy training, particularly those living in areas with limited access to technology, as well as to seniors with mobility challenges.

“There is no training program in my neighbourhood so it is really helpful to have this opportunity,” says Eva, one of YEP’s adult participants (pictured below, left).

Santosh, a senior participant, is excited for the opportunity to learn technology for the first time. Mobile devices from GizmoGrand will allow digital literacy training to take place directly in her building, where over 80 seniors live. “It’s hard for us to travel to a program somewhere else. It’s great that we will be able to learn this right in our building. There are so many of us who are interested.”

“Being a part of something that has shown its ability to increase the potential for employment, as well as improve community bonds by using families to train each other, is quite heartwarming,” says Ahmed Bafagih, founder of GizmoGrind. “I grew up in one of YEP’s communities, and YEP is making an impact improving the lives of people who are part of my community.”

About GizmoGrind

GizmoGrind is an online platform allowing the quick sale of Smartphones for business and consumers of iPhones and Androids. (You can only sell online to us, you can’t buy a phone through GizmoGrind)

Users of GizmoGrind can get an instant quote for their used phone online and we facilitate all shipping from all over Canada. Once we receive the device, we assess and send payment online. The whole process takes about 3 days.

GizmoGrind plants one tree for every device sold through our onetreeplanted.org partnership.

To learn more about GizmoGrind, visit: https://www.gizmogrind.ca/

YEP partners with The Daniels Corporation and Beanfield to help low-income kids with e-learning

Over the past two weeks, eLearning has become the norm for all students across the country. But for many students in the neighbourhoods we work in, eLearning is simply not possible. Many do not have computers, tablets or smartphones at home. In one school we work with in Toronto, roughly 50 students (15% of the schools population) live in a shelter.

We’ve joined hands with The Daniels Corporation and Beanfield to support these students during this difficult time. We visited local shelters and set up pick up locations, and over 100 tablets and laptops were given out. Rogers Communications has also helped provide internet access to those without internet access.

We're excited to ensure the continued learning of over 100 low-income students, and will continue to support them so that their learning does not get disrupted.

About The Daniels Corporation

The Daniels Corporation (Daniels) is one of Canada's pre-eminent builders/developers, building nearly 40,000 new homes across the Greater Toronto Area for over 40 years.

To learn more about The Daniels Corporation, visit: https://danielshomes.ca/

About Beanfield

Beanfield is a provider for Business and Residential services, delivering an independent fibre network for over 35 years.

To learn more about Beanfield, visit: https://www.beanfield.com/

#LetsTeachAdults - Over 1,000 young people took part!

Our #LetsTeachAdults initiative, has thus far seen over 1,000 young Canadians step up and empower adults and seniors in their communities during the pandemic.

As many struggle to manage during the pandemic, this impactful program challenged young people to teach skills to isolated adults and seniors, many of whom lack the digital literacy skills needed to navigate the “new normal.”

Bridging the Gap, One Lesson at a Time

The young participants of #LetsTeachAdults served as digital guides, patiently teaching valuable skills that helped bridge the digital divide and keep vulnerable populations connected and informed.

These skills included:

• -Mastering Zoom to stay connected with loved ones virtually.
• -Navigating online shopping for essential items like groceries and medications.
• -Understanding and applying for vital government relief programs like the CERB and Support for Families program.
• -Maintaining physical well-being through at-home exercise routines.
• -Discovering entertainment options while staying home, including streaming services like Netflix and YouTube, playing musical instruments, and enjoying board games.
• Staying informed on the latest COVID-19 updates, including quarantine rules and how to identify fake news online.

Quotes

My favourite part of being a youth leader was developing meaningful connections with the seniors. I found this to be especially heartwarming since many people during the pandemic are feeling lonely and isolated. - Alena, high-school student in Calgary, Alberta.

Being stuck at home by myself is challenging when you don't know how to use technology very well. Thanks to this program, I have a personal tutor who is teaching me how to use Zoom to talk with my family who live in other cities. - Jeff, a senior who lives in a small Candian city of 3,000 people.

Congratulations to all youth who have, and who continue to participate!

YEP launches e-learning platform for new partner organizations

We're excited to announce we've launched an e-learning platform, something we've been hard at work on for months. This comprehensive online resource will equip community organizations across the nation with the tools and knowledge they need to successfully implement YEP's impactful programs on their own.

This platform will break down the barriers of distance and resource limitations, allowing organizations of all sizes to benefit from YEP's proven approach, wherever they are located.

The YEP e-learning platform offers a wealth of resources, including:

• Interactive Training Modules: Staff members at community organizations can access in-depth training modules covering every aspect of program development and implementation. Topics include program coordination, effective outreach strategies, and best practices for training youth to become effective educators for adults.
• Engaging Assessments: Interactive quizzes throughout the training modules reinforce key learnings and ensure participants grasp vital concepts.
• Actionable Planning Tools: Fillable PDFs guide users through the program planning process, helping them tailor YEP programs to their specific communities.
• Extensive Lesson Plan Library: Over 50 downloadable lesson plans, designed and tested by YEP, cover a wide range of topics relevant to youth and adults.

• Build Capacity: Develop a skilled team capable of running impactful youth-adult programs.
• Save Time and Resources: Access pre-developed training materials and lesson plans, eliminating the need to create them from scratch.
• Customize Programs: Tailor YEP programs to their unique community needs.
• Empower Youth: Equip young people with the skills and confidence to educate adults.

Empowering students to learn and teach anti-racism

YEP is thrilled to announce the receipt of a grant from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation to develop a comprehensive curriculum of anti-racism modules specifically designed for student-led groups.

This grant allows us to create engaging and age-appropriate resources that will empower student leaders to build inclusive school communities and dismantle racism.

The free, downloadable modules will cover a range of topics, including:

-Understanding identity and privilege
-Recognizing and challenging bias
-Promoting allyship and empathy
-Creating a culture of respect

These resources will be available to schools across the country, fostering student-driven anti-racism efforts and promoting positive change. We acknowledge the support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada.

About the Canadian Race Relations Foundation

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is a charitable organization and Crown corporation responsible to foster racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding and help to eliminate racism in Canada. The foundation was officially opened in November 1997 as part of the Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement.

To learn more about the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, visit: https://crrf-fcrr.ca/

Empowering young changemakers with new microgrant program

Youth Empowering Parents (YEP) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Promise1000 microgrant program, designed to empower young people aged 15-30 to make a positive impact in their communities. Funded by Canada Service Corps, the program will award funds to support innovative projects led by passionate young individuals.

The Promise1000 program will provide a unique opportunity for young people to turn their ideas into reality, and we are excited to see the creativity and dedication they bring to tackling important issues in their communities.

Promise1000 offers grants to support youth-led projects that address a variety of social and environmental needs. Examples of eligible projects include teaching adults english or technology skills, and combating senior isolation by running weekly art workshops for seniors.

At Youth Empowering Parents, we believe that young people have the power to create positive change. Promise1000 is designed to give them the resources and support they need to make a meaningful difference. Applications for the Promise1000 program are open and interested young people can learn more and apply online at www.youthfund.ca.

About Canada Service Corps

The Canada Service Corps (CSC) promotes civic engagement among youth aged 15 to 30. CSC-funded organizations deliver service opportunities that equip young Canadians with meaningful life skills and experiences.

By empowering youth to engage in service, CSC supports a national movement that encourages youth to give back to their communities.

To learn more about Canada Service Corps, visit: www.canada.ca/en/services/youth/canada-service-corps.html

The Black Educator Apprenticeship Program: Addressing low teacher diversity

Reviews of teacher diversity in Canada and the U.S. showed that the Student-Teacher diversity gap in Ontario and Toronto is larger than the gap in the United States. Even some southern states like Alabama had a greater percentage of diverse teachers than Ontario and Toronto.

Black teachers, in particular, are crucial, but there is such a significant shortage of them. A study by John Hopkins University found that Black students who had just one black teacher by third grade were 13 percent more likely to graduate high-school and enroll in post-secondary. Those who had two black teachers were 32 percent more likely.

For these reasons, Youth Empowering Parents is proud to announce the creation of the Black Educator Apprenticeship Program (BEAP), a groundbreaking initiative designed to address the lack of diversity in the teaching profession. This program is made possible by the generous support of the Counselling Foundation and the Halsall Family Foundation.

BEAP will provide aspiring young Black educators with the training and mentorship they need to thrive in the classroom. Through a combination of coursework, mentorship, and hands-on experience, participants will gain the skills and confidence to become successful teachers.

The program will focus on:
-Providing aspiring Black educators with the academic foundation and pedagogical skills necessary for becoming a teacher in the future.
-Offering mentorship opportunities with experienced educators.
-Placing apprentices in classrooms alongside seasoned teachers for valuable hands-on experience.

The Black Educator Apprenticeship Program aims to:
-Increase the number of Black educators in classrooms.
-Create a more diverse and representative learning environment for all students.
-Foster a pipeline for future Black leaders in education.

About the Counselling Foundation

The Counselling Foundation of Canada is a private family foundation that champions life-long learning and career development for people in Canada. They provide funding to support initiatives in Canada from coast to coast to coast that help young people with their career development.

To learn more about the Counselling Foundation, visit: https://counselling.foundation/

About Halsall Family Foundation

The Halsall Family Foundation was established in 2012 as a way for the Halsall Family to give back to the city they have called home for many years. Their aim is to support community initiatives that create opportunities for youth to realize their full potential as citizens. Their focus is on a “venture philanthropy” approach to funding, which targets grassroots organizations and start-ups in challenged communities offering programs that promote youth leadership and training.

To learn more about the Halsall Family Foundation, visit: https://torontofoundation.ca/halsall_family_foundation