Looking Back: Black Student Union's: Reforming the Existing.

In celebration of Black History Month and this year's theme "Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build," we are reflecting back on our 2023 panel organized and hosted by NACY Communication Assistant and Co-Founder of the Sir Robert Borden High School's Black Student Union, Might Gouta.

Members of the BSU spoke of amplifying voices of the equity deserving groups, fostering community, advocating for and empowering students, and creating a lasting impact, as reasons for starting a BSU at their school. The leaders also spoke of the need to adult ally's to create space to have difficult conversations and what it means to see themselves represented in their teachers.

With such initiatives, students can make lasting connections, and safe and inclusive spaces that can often feel like home. Students are calling for change at a systems level and vocalized the importance of continued efforts long after they have graduated. They believe it is not only necessary, but possible to create a space where everyone can belong.

A very special thank you to Might for coordinating this discussion, to the students who shared their lived experience, to the teachers who stepped into uncomfortable spaces to create comfortable ones for the students and to Marie Christian, Director of Voices: Manitoba's Youth in Care Network and NACY Board Member for moderating the panel. 

Time to celebrate the annual Nonprofit Appreciation Week!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

• Join the Students Commission of Canada for the #CanadaWeWant National Showcase 2024 at RBC Future Launch on March 4 at 10:00 AM. REGISTER for the in-person or virtual showcase.
• Momentum brings together local 2SLGBTQIA+ advocates and allies from across Canada for virtual gatherings to build relationships, share knowledge and strategize together. If you’d like to be a part of it, email info@momentumcanada.net to be looped into the monthly meetups!
• Turn the tide on online hate with YWCA Canada's "Clapback" cards. Read here.
• Support People for Education re-imagine public education as a member of their Pan-Canadian Youth Network. Learn more here.
• Family Advocacy Support Centres (FASC) offers 1:1 meet and greet mentorship opportunities to help navigate a complex system that doesn't always understand youth voices. Book here.
• BGC Canada is looking for this year's Indigenous #YouthOfTheYearCA. Applications are open January 26 to March 4. Learn more.
• Experiences Canada is seeking 10 youth leaders, ages 21-30 to support 2024 National Hybrid Youth Forum. Commitment required to be Ottawa between July 2-8, 2024. Email jalie@experiencescanada.ca with a resumé, cover letter, and a reference from a teacher.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING 

Ontario Human Rights Commission - What We Heard – says that “anti-Black racism remains deeply entrenched within Canadian institutions” including the education system and last year, People for Education found that while most Ontario schools report providing professional development focused on anti-racism and equity, only 49% say they have the capacity to implement school-wide anti-racism strategies.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

RBC Youth Mental Well-being Project: Fund programs that address youth and family’s immediate need to access mental health services, a critical area identified by parents, youth and experts in the field. They also consider supporting other programs that increase access to care if they are collaborative, have proven results and can demonstrate successful outcomes.

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• United for Literacy is seeking a part-time communications and outreach intern to work closely with the Community Coordinator in expanding programming to the communities of Truro and Wolfville. Apply here.
• Shad Canada is hiring a Student and Campus Club Coordinator to ensure smooth and safe program operations. Apply here.
• Pathways to Education has ongoing Tutoring and Mentoring volunteer roles available. Virtual volunteering is available for most volunteer roles and volunteer candidates will be appropriately oriented for virtual volunteering experiences. Learn more.
• ​​​​​Wayfinders is open to accepting volunteers from high school to PhD students to help with technological support. Most volunteers commit to one 2-3 hour shift a week. Contact the Wayfinders Program Office for more information: 204-631-5849 or wayfinders@7oaks.org ​
• Kids Help Phone is currently recruiting volunteers from across Canada to become crisis responders. Read more about the volunteer roles here.