Program objectives

In partnership with the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board and NGen Youth Centre the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion is providing high school students (targeting black youth) from select schools with mentorship opportunities to support them develop leadership and life skills through interactive group sessions. Using an anti-black racism framework, the sessions will focus on supporting and strengthening mentees’/ students’ leadership and civic engagement skills while empowering and inspiring them to create their narratives and pathways to success and prepare them to be strong advocates for their communities.

Topics included are: social justice, community mobilizing tactics, effective communication strategies, political involvement, entrepreneurship, health and well-being, nutrition, stress management, black identity and history and other current affairs. These group discussions will provide opportunities for participants to connect with one another- forming a bond and friendship and strengthening their sense of community connection.  The program will create opportunities to showcase acquired skills through organized tours, and participant youth will have access to hands-on experiential learning activities to inspire positive development.

Target Population: The program target population is black youth aged 13-18. The program is open to other youth from other cultural backgrounds, however, the whole program is delivered from an Afro-centric point of view, using an anti-black racism framework.