How do we help address issues and barriers surrounding marginalized youth in Ontario? The systemic, legal, and institutional barriers prevent marginalized youths from the ability to participate in policy and decision-making, weakening their capacity to challenge these barriers. This is an issue that not only impacts these individuals, but also costs us as a society by not drawing on their full capabilities as citizens and individuals.

The focus of the upcoming WSIC discussion is to highlight a special organization whose objective is to keep youth off the streets, in schools, and participating within their communities.  Steven Ambrose is the founder of the Canadian Basketball Academy and Bruiser’s Foundation, using sport to help foster youth development and providing educational opportunities through tuition scholarships to disadvantaged youth.

Andray Domise, a community organizer, is attempting to build a youth centre in the priority neighbourhood of Rexdale.  Andray would like to see software companies partner with our public libraries to create a pipeline for youth into the tech industry.

Maura Lawless, the Director of 519 community centre, works with youth homelessness and specifically LGBT youth that are particularly at risk.

Having spent most of their lives working with at-risk youth, Steven Ambrose, Andray Domise, and Maura Lawless will discuss some of the policies that they would like to see adopted municipally in order for more young people under their tutelage succeed.

Join us on August 18th, where these inspirational leaders will discuss their organizations in more detail and how they are supporting marginalized Ontario youth in the GTA.

Please RSVP to let us know if you can join us.