Teaching Pride

New Rainbow Bridges peer-led program aims to support youth transitioning into high schools

Written by: Jude Ashburn, Rainbow Bridges Coordinator at Youth Ottawa

the big picture

Rainbow Bridges is an experiential, for-youth-by-youth project where high school students involved with GSAs innovate ways to make their schools safer and more inclusive to provide welcoming school transition activities for middle school 2SLGBTQ students entering high school.

Why Rainbow Bridges?

If you are a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, then you are well aware of the challenges faced by queer and trans youth in high school. If you are not a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, then, well, it doesn’t take a PhD to understand that experiencing oppression is bad for your health. While several initiatives have popped up over the years to support 2SLGBTQ+ students as they navigate intersecting forms of oppression at school, the shifting political landscape at the moment ensures that the struggle for safer schools continues.

Rainbow Bridges is as much a response to this ongoing need as it is a response to the high demand from elementary students and teachers to create more opportunities to engage 2SLGBTQ+ students who will be transitioning into a high school setting next year. By leveraging the impact-amplifier of high school to elementary student mentorship, this program creates an opportunity for older students who have already made the transition to share their experiences in support of younger students. We have partnered with Sue Rice, Equity Instructional Coach of Inclusive Education at the OCDSB, and Dorothy Baker, Superintendent of Curriculum Services, to offer this program at participating schools across Ottawa.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives of this program are:

To engage students in re-envisioning transitions for 2SLGBTQ+ students into high school, in order to provide more equitable and inclusive support for students in elementary sites. As a result, increase student well-being in particular for 2SLGBTQ+ students and in general for all students.

To create professional learning and networking opportunities for teachers embedded within families of schools and with students.
To provide an opportunity to support students leading and learning, and leveraging the power of high school students to be impact makers for elementary students and demonstrate the care that they have for their community.

INFORMED BY LIVED EXPERIENCES

Drawing from the expertise and lived experience of students at alternate sites such as Richard Pfaff, as well as the GSA’s and equity clubs at numerous high schools, Rainbow Bridges will form a series of “community challenges” which will then be presented to participating senior-level classes. The students in these courses will then propose potential “solutions” to these challenges and create a variety of projects aimed at meeting the community’s specified need. The culmination of this work will involve students from feeder schools attending a series of events to present their work and foster connections between elementary and secondary students.

powered by experiential learning

We at Youth Ottawa know that experiential learning is a powerful vehicle for social and community change. It is crucial that marginalized students see themselves reflected on a cultural level, within the curriculum, and within the staff at the schools where they learn; just as it is crucial that we as educators who are committed to amplifying their voices to prioritize systemic change and ongoing professional development. There is no substitute for peer support, nor is there an end to our work of learning, unlearning, and relearning how to be in a caring community with one another.

an authentic moment

I moved to Ottawa just over a year ago and recently completed my Master of Education project about the ongoing work of supporting trans students in public high schools. As an educator who engages with both community-based and formalized education systems, I have found that students tend to learn best when they have chosen to learn something. There are so many ways in which our consent is never sought out by formal education systems, and I truly believe that this cumulative experience can become quite traumatic for many learners who never get the opportunity to develop a sense of agency in their learning because of it. When we are given a choice about what and how we get to learn something, the entire trajectory of our life shifts in rather profound ways because we are able to tell a new story about who we are in the world. The identity of a student can take on new meaning.

– Jude Ashburn

Rainbow Bridges launches next Month, and we look forward to sharing our program developments with you. If you would like to hear more about the program, or if you would just like to talk about supporting 2SLGBTQ+ youth in general, please email jude.ashburn@youthottawa.ca. He welcomes all compliments and critique!

Love is in the air ❤️

Explore our work and impact in 2019!

As we start Youth Ottawa’s 23rd year, we continue to be in awe of the generosity of our communities. Today, we continue to fuel young leaders, but we could not do it without your support.

In our latest gratitude report, we showcase how you enabled youth to engage in critical decision-making processes, build powerful networks and innovate significant social impacts.

Read the full report to learn more!

Download the full report

January 22, 2020January 22, 2020

Creating safe spaces for women of colour

Youth Spotlight

Nayaelah Siddiqui is a 24-year-old student in her final year at the University of Ottawa. While in school, Nayaelah also works for Global Affairs in the International Platform Branch and is an entrepreneur, operating Empower’em a grassroots group providing safe spaces and accessible leadership programming for young women of colour in the City of Ottawa.

"When I started Empower'em 6 years ago, it wasn't something I intended to start"

Growing up as a visible minority, I faced a lot of inequalities and still do to this today. I wear a hijab and as a consequence, I have been discriminated against countless times. However, the real motivation behind starting Empower’em was when I realized that there was no space for Muslim women to share experiences and connect with one another. There was a gap in the services offered in the community and I felt like I needed a community. I decided to create a safe space to find support in my peers.

I started Empower’em specifically for Muslim women, but as we started meeting people through our events, I quickly realized the need to redevelop our mandate to include racialized women from many backgrounds. Young women from all kinds of backgrounds were coming to our events and using the space to open up about their experiences.

Our first workshop was held in August 2013. I ran a workshop on embracing your own true identity in front of a group of 15-20 people. Based on the success of the first event, I decided to continue organizing such spaces. I learned how to design posters, write grants, create a website and newsletter and finally recruited a team. Our events today welcome anywhere between 15-65 young women depending on the type of safe space. Some of our programming models works through peer support groups.

This year, we started a confidential mental health peer support group, to allow women to discuss taboo topics in a safe environment and to let them know that they are not alone in this struggle. Meeting others who are facing similar difficulties has helped participants in our program to feel like they are not alone in this fight. This program grew from my own experiences and a key component was understanding how inaccessible mental health services were to marginalized communities. Often, professional support meant seeing a counsellor who didn’t reflect or share similar beliefs and values or who wasn’t trained culturally.

Today, the focus on all our programming is to create inclusive spaces and provide accessible programming for all marginalized women of colour in the city.

We hope to start a sustainable mentorship program that pairs younger women of colour with more experienced women of colour so that they can have a mentor that shares similar values and beliefs as them.

“I started Empower’em specifically for Muslim women due to the need I saw in my peers, but as we started putting meeting people through our events, I quickly realized the need to redevelop our mandate to include racialized women from many backgrounds.”

About 3 years after starting Empower’em I got involved with Youth Ottawa through OYEC, the Ottawa Youth Engagement Committee. During this time I was also applying for grants to support Empower’em. One of the grants required us to find an organizational mentor. I got in contact with them and they were 100% on board to help.

What I love about Youth Ottawa’s approach is that they actively listen to what youth need and they build upon that information, instead of immediately giving their opinions. Our relationship has grown in the past year and they’ve really pushed for the growth of Empower’em through their guidance and mentorship. Just a few examples of their support include handling funds for us, helping us create formal documentation, constantly searching for opportunities that could be useful for us, linking us to seminars and other non-profit events and most recently hiring one of our volunteer members under their Entrepreneurship Fellowship Program this past summer. Over the summer, one of Empower’em’s team members, Brenda, was involved in building a Business Model Canvas to help us conceptualize how to turn Empower’em into a social enterprise model. My hope is to get Empower’em registered as a non-profit, build a social enterprise side to generate revenue – and use our lived experiences as youth and as women of colour to give back to the community and build more diverse and inclusive spaces. Eventually, we’d also like to create an annual summit that brings women of colour from all over Canada together to celebrate their accomplishments, learn from one another, and pass on leadership skills.

“What I love about Youth Ottawa’s approach is that they actively listen to what youth need and they build upon that information, instead of immediately giving their opinions. Our relationship has grown in the past year and they’ve really pushed for the growth of Empower’em through their guidance and mentorship.”

I immigrated to Canada just before I turned 13, a little over 10 years ago, and this is where I grew up. For any young person, these years are a vital moment in their life when they are building their values and beliefs. During these years, I found ways to integrate myself into the Canadian society by being my own self, exploring who I am and not compromising the values and beliefs that I hold. To try to fit in, many people give up their true selves, Through Empower’em, I hope to inspire young women to be themselves and feel accepted for who they are with the support of their peers. I am grateful for the support system of community organizations like Youth Ottawa who believe and support our mission.

December 11, 2019January 5, 2021

Amplifying youth voices

Amplifying the stories of refugees & newcomers

Youth Ottawa and the UNHCR have teamed up to share the powerful stories of refugees in Ottawa.

We interviewed refugees from all walks of life, as a young as 18 and as old as 45 to share their own personal stories of resilience and overcoming adversity. This project addresses the theme of refugee youth experiences within Canada with the hope that these videos will be used to help encourage meaningful youth engagement/involvement in refugee issues and create more understanding of the challenges refugee youth face once they are resettled in Canada.

The stories below are just a few of the voices of refugees in our community.

Nour Abdullah

Nour is a student at Carleton University. She is a swimmer, a basketball player, and loves to play the piano. She volunteers for a sports organization that supports children living in low-income housing and teaches Arabic to children in a language program. She was born and raised in the city of Aleppo and came to Canada as a refugee in 2017.

Nour shares her story with us below.

Ibrahim Musa

Ibrahim is the Founder of the Cuts For Kids Foundation, which promotes dignity through access to equal opportunities by connecting youth to essential services – starting with a haircut or style. Ibrahim’s personal mission is to alleviate socio-economic barriers affecting youth, born out of his own experiences arriving in Canada in 2002 as a refugee from Iraq.

Ibrahim shares his story with us below.

Mouhamed Al-Arab

Mouhamed is a student at Carleton University studying Aerospace Engineering. Mouhamad won the Academic Perseverance award by Youth Ottawa in 2018. He arrived in Canada in 2016 as a refugee from Syria.

Mohamed Shares his story with us below.

November 4, 2019November 12, 2019

Philanthropy through the eyes of their daughter

Molly Ensom and her parents, Ron and Beverly Ensom, have been donating to Youth Ottawa for several years. Their gifts have included time, talent and treasure. Making a commitment of time, sharing their talents and providing financial support through monetary donations have all helped to give youth hope in our community.

You, and generous donors like the Ensom Family, are the key to changing lives at Youth Ottawa.

Molly became involved with Youth Ottawa 10 years ago when Youth Ottawa’s civics program was just a one day conference to which she would bring her students. This initiative encouraged youth to be engaged citizens. Molly has continued to be an avid contributor to Youth Ottawa and has taken on a position on the Board of Directors.

Molly’s parents, Ron and Beverly, are long-standing supporters of initiatives that enable children and youth to reach their potential. The love of giving back has always been a part of the Ensom family. Ron, Bev, Molly and her two brothers have worked for many years for Christie Lake Kids, founded in 1922 to raise the life prospects of children living in poverty.

Ron and Beverly were inspired by Molly’s passion for Youth Ottawa. Seeing her enthusiasm for Youth Ottawa’s mission prompted them to add their support to hers.

We sat down with both Ron and Molly as they shared their story with us. We were doubly delighted to have them bring along Sam, Molly’s one-month-old son.

Where does your philanthropic spirit come from?

We think it’s really important to give back. There is a huge base of goodwill in the Ottawa community. Our family has the ability to support a number of worthy causes that have a positive impact on the community. It feels great knowing that we can help make a difference in the lives of youth and support the dedication of program staff and volunteers. We are always delighted to hear staff and volunteers talk enthusiastically about their work.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing today’s youth?

In my 23 years working with youth,” Molly observes, “I believe the biggest challenge facing them is the lack of access to opportunities.” Ron noted that the old admonition to “Pull yourself up by the bootstraps!” assumes you already have bootstraps. Youth Ottawa gives youth the resources and opportunities to build on.

What do you want your gift to accomplish?

I want to know that our gifts assure real-life payoff for kids and youth, and will enable the organization to keep energetic motivated staff.

Tell us about a particular program involving Youth Ottawa’s work that has impacted you.

Molly observes that “Social entrepreneurship is a current concept, and I believe it is very important. Organizations are no longer assessed based on traditional metrics like financial performance. Rather, organizations are being judged on their impact on society. With social entrepreneurship, you have the economic piece tied in with social justice. When I heard about Youth Ottawa launching their youth summer program, it really stood out for me. A program that provides youth with mentorship combined with the opportunity to allow youth to become their own entrepreneurs is a win-win. The fact that this program can help youth launch their own social enterprise all while receiving business support is ideal.

At Youth Ottawa, our donors are the heartbeat of our work. We know you have your own story too! Your story of why you give is an important part of our story. We cannot open our doors to youth looking for guidance, inspiration and leadership without YOU! Your gifts are essential and on behalf of all of the youth who are impacted by your generosity … thank you!

October 23, 2019October 23, 2019

“There is power in your story” – Jacqui Du Toit

"tHERE IS POWER IN YOUR STORY"

- JACQUI DU TOIT

sttARTs Launch

This month we launched SttARTs (Storytelling through the Arts) in partnership with MASC and the OCDSB – an exciting program that teaches students how to tell their own stories and how to create an event to present these stories.

The launch took place at Sir Robert Borden where students from four intermediate schools across the district were welcomed to learn more about the program, meet the facilitators and learn what is expected in the coming weeks.

About SttARTs

SttARTs was piloted last year to overwhelming success. At the end of the program, some adjustments were made based on essential feedback from stakeholders: participating students from 14 OCDSB classrooms, participating teachers and support staff, artists Jacqui and Jamaal, MASC Co- Executive Director Wendy Hartley and MASC English Program Staff, Youth Ottawa Coordinator Helene Boulay and ED Ian Bingeman, and OCDSB Arts Program and Learning coach Jennifer Boudewyn. SttARTs will be explored by Grade 7 and 8 students and will be guided again this year by MASC storyteller artist Jacqui Du Toit and Youth Ottawa’s Artistic Mentorship Coordinator Jamaal Jackson Rogers.

In the first six weeks of the program, Facilitator Jacqui du Toit will take the students through lessons of active listening, will lead them in structuring their own stories, and how to use non-verbal communication in presenting these stories. In the following four weeks, Artistic Mentor Jamaal Jackson Rogers will teach students how to promote and organize an art event where they will share their stories with an audience.

Storytelling supports many of the characteristics and skills of the OCDSBs exit outcomes: goal-oriented, globally aware, innovation and creativity, critical thinking, effective communication. The program also naturally explores curriculum expectations in drama and language arts.

“My struggle reminds me of how strong a person I am. That’s my story.” – Alaa Albadry

The launch welcomed first-year participant Alaa Albadry, who took the stage and shared with the audience her own personal story about her struggle with Eczema, and how this led to many years of bullying. Her story sent a powerful message of resilience and overcoming adversity and received a standing ovation from the audience.

“Youth Ottawa is delighted to be working with the OCDSB and MASC on this important project! We’ve long known that hands-on, experiential learning through the arts is critical to the development of student voice; however, SttArts has been a revelation for how impactful arts education can effectively build connections to peers, teachers and community. Jacqui du Toit and Jamaal Jackson Rogers are a dynamic duo, and students are in for a treat!.” Ian Bingeman Executive Director of Youth Ottawa

The Mentors

MASC Facilitator Jacqui Du Toit was born and raised in South Africa and is known for her animated stories from the motherland. She combines gestures, dance, singing, facial expression and dramatic impersonations that spark the audience: she captivates her audiences with more than just words.

Youth Ottawa Artistic Mentor Jamaal Jackson Rogers is a nationally recognized independent artist, creative entrepreneur and arts educator. He is the recently appointed Ottawa English Poet Laureate, a position that has not been occupied in the city of Ottawa for the past 27 years. As a mentor and arts coach with Youth Ottawa, Jamaal helps youth reach their goals within various artistic fields by teaching, inspiring and leading.

We believe that storytelling is a very important process that teaches us to love, to forgive others, to be just and to always strive to be the best possible person. We hope that this program acts as a fantastic teaching tool that will impact all participating students, teachers and facilitators. To learn more about MASC visit www.masconline.ca to learn more about Youth Ottawa’s Artistic Mentorship Program, visit our page here.

May 15, 2019October 22, 2019

A successful 22nd Annual Spirit of the Capital Awards

Recognizing 16 Remarkable Youth

After reviewing a pool of 130+ nominations, 16 young leaders were chosen to take the stage at the RBC Spirit of the Capital Youth Awards on May 14th to represent the inspiring and transformative work being done in the community. The event was held at Ottawa City Hall where 300 guests gathered to celebrate the youth who have engaged civically, volunteered locally, advocated for important causes, or have encouraged engagement among their peers. This was Youth Ottawa’s 22nd year hosting the awards as a means to spotlight the young agents of change, to honor their positive impact in the community and to be a support for them as they continue to evolve as leaders. The youth were able to share their incredible stories with guests and were each awarded a $1,000 bursary to continue their academics or social enterprise in line with the values of Youth Ottawa.

"Without you all trusting and believing in me, I wouldn’t have been able to do what I’m trying to do now and everyday in this community. I pray that you all understand the impact and change you have in people’s lives. I am glowing inside and outside after tonight. Thank you for seeing me. I owe you the world!"

Brooke Shaw

Strength through Diversity Award Recipient

The Winners

Service and Caring – Ammar Abdurahman & Blanca Desjarlais, Max Keeping Award for Personal Courage – Miriam Hanna & Emily Pierce, Arts and Culture – Abdul Muse, Namitha Rathinappillai & Barry Takawgak, Entrepreneurship and Innovation – Malindu Danthanarayana & Daius Steiner, Strength through Diversity – Jordyn Hendricks, Quinn Jeffery-Off & Brooke Shaw, Take a Stand – Warner Schaettgen and Suheyma Duale, Academic Perseverance – Marianne Stintzi & Grace Salomonie

Our Sponsors

The awards could not have been possible without the support of our sponsors. This year’s event sponsors included title sponsor RBC, and Presenting Sponsors, University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Algonquin College’s Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism program, Michaëlle Jean Foundation, Carleton University Student’s Association, and the Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation. The event ended with closing remarks from Ian Bingeman, Youth Ottawa’s Executive Director as he invited Marjolaine Hudon, RBC Regional President Ontario North and East whom announced a $40,000 donation to Youth Ottawa as part of RBC Future Launch Program.

Read the full press release

August 3, 2018October 22, 2019

Glebe’s DILA Drug Awareness Day

Glebe's DILA Drug Awareness Day

"The morning saw all 330 Grade 10 students participate in educational sessions about harm reduction, drug information, consent as it relates to substance use..."

Youth Ottawa has had the pleasure of working with Anneke Jansen van Doorn, a teacher at Glebe Collegiate Institute, through our DILA Program for the last two years. Of all the exciting projects we have completed with her classes, the Drug Awareness Day organized with her Grade 11 World Religions class in December of 2017 was by far the largest.

When our long-time facilitator, Emma Buchanan, first visited the classroom, the students immediately identified the opioid crisis and the complexity of drug use as issues that needed to be addressed. Worried about the safety of their peers, students pitched a ‘Drug Awareness Day’ to school administration.

The morning saw all 330 Grade 10 students participate in educational sessions about harm reduction, drug information, consent as it relates to substance use, and lived experience with drug use. Youth Ottawa facilitators led student-driven discussion groups to help make the school a more supportive and safe environment.

Youth Ottawa thanks our partners for this project: Ottawa Public Health, the Ottawa Paramedic Service, Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, and Terrence Rogers. Congratulations to Glebe students for organizing such an impactful morning.

April 29, 2018October 22, 2019

Mayor Jim Watson announces the winners of the Mayor for a Day contest

Mayor Jim Watson announces Mayor for a Day contest winners!

“The two winning students have been invited to be Mayors for a Day on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. Madison and Jackson will chair the City Council meeting alongside Mayor Watson…”

Ottawa — Mayor Jim Watson announced today the winners of the first Mayor for a Day contest. Madison Richmire, a grade 10 student from A.Y. Jackson Secondary School, and Jackson Millenor, a grade 10 student from St. Peter Catholic High School, were selected for their exceptional and innovative ideas on how to make Ottawa a better place to live.

Madison’s active transportation and recreation suggestions of adding more OC Transpo bus routes, additional bike paths and creating more outdoor spaces and sport facilities for youth would help improve the way residents travel and move through our city. Jackson’s ideas of converting all street lights to LED technology, retrofitting City parks and outdoor public spaces and creating multipurpose gathering spaces in libraries and modernising their technology equipment would benefit the environment, help bring people together and create new community hubs.

The two winning students have been invited to be Mayors for a Day on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. Madison and Jackson will chair the City Council meeting alongside Mayor Watson, accompany the Mayor at various community and city events and learn more about how municipal governments work.

The Mayor for a Day contest was organized by the Ottawa Youth Engagement Committee (OYEC) in partnership with the City of Ottawa and Mayor Jim Watson‘s office, as a way to promote youth engagement on municipal politics and civic issues. It took place from February 2 to 28 and was open to all Ottawa high school students in grades 9 to 12. Participants were invited to submit their ideas on how to improve the city for their chance to experience a day in the life of the Mayor. Over 90 applications with more than 250 ideas from students from high schools across the city and from all school boards were received. Submitted ideas from all participants will help inform the Ottawa Youth Engagement Committee’s Youth Action Plan (YAP), as part of OYEC’s current citywide youth consultations.