BLACK YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
BLACK YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
The Black Youth Mentorship Program (BYMP) aims to connect Hamilton’s Black youth aged 13-25 to local mentors, fostering a supportive environment for self-discovery and nurturing the growth of their unique talents and passions. BYMP helps youth participants make healthy and safe choices by connecting with consistent, caring adults, increasing their resiliency, and progress toward their goals. The Program is delivered in two formats: group sessions, and one-on-one.
We take an approach called Critical Mentoring. Critical Mentoring is focused on the development of a critical consciousness in mentors and mentees. Critical consciousness has two parts; awareness of oppressive external forces and feeling a sense of efficacy about navigating and challenging those forces. The power of this approach is that it can help youth avoid being undermined by these forces, and, instead, help them thrive in the face of adverse circumstances through personal development and supports that build perseverance.
GROUP SESSIONS
These monthly sessions will focus on encouraging the engagement of Black youth in various session formats that pertain to a variety of students’ interests and identities. These sessions will aim to empower and inspire Black youth to pursue their most authentic passions, while fostering confidence and inspiring them to create strong pathways whole being strong advocates for themselves and their communities.
These sessions, facilitated by Black organizers within our community, including mental health specialists, artists, community leaders, and other professionals, will work to support students and grow their skills in different subject areas. During these sessions, youth will be free to discuss various challenges they may be facing, such as racism, Islamophobia, homophobia, ableism, and other forms of oppression they may experience. Facilitators will be able to provide guidance, support, skills, resources and strategies to address a variety of challenges. Core topics and themes include:
- Mental Health safe-spaces and support
- Arts and Culture
- Queer Support, Advocacy and Safe-Spaces
- STEM programming (coding, etc)
- Mentorship
- Civic Engagement / Leadership
- Building a strong cultural identity
ONE-ON-ONE
The Black Youth Mentorship Programs One-on-One mentorship stream pairs professionals and community leaders directly with students. Youth aged 13 to 18 are matched with mentors whose background, experience, interests offer significant learning opportunities. The pair will connect on a weekly basis, with group mentorship events occurring monthly, in person or virtually. The nature of the relationship and advice is unique for each student. This ensures that the individual time, consideration, and attention that best fits their life, opportunities, and challenges.
If interested in being either a mentee or a mentor, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/mhQPLaaHKoS7AFNH7
If you have any questions, comments or suggests, please feel free to contact one of HCCI’s Black Youth Mentorship Coordinator, Sammah Yahya at syahya@hcci.ca
Get in Touch. Get Involved.
We welcome feedback, comments, and questions.
Please email, call, or use the form below to connect with our team.
Hamilton Center for Civic Inclusion
423 King Street East
Hamilton ON, L8N 1C5
(905) 297 4694