Community collaboration is key to advancing expansive and innovative understandings and practices of peace at the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centre has heard from many youth about the growing needs they are observing locally and their desire to work collaboratively with their peers and community members to deliver innovative solutions for these problems. To support these students in their changemaking journeys, the Centre has continued to partner with Kindred Credit Union and The Ripple Effect Education (TREE) to deliver the Peace Innovators Scholarship and Mentoring Program.
The Peace Innovators Scholarship and Mentoring Program offers high school seniors the opportunity to identify a local problem and develop an initiative to address it with the support of community and program mentors, and their peers. Over the past four years, 37 students have been supported by the program, addressing an issue that is meaningful to them and developing the skills necessary to continue making change in their communities once the program ends. From August 20 to August 22, 2021, the 2021-2022 cohort of students gathered at Conrad Grebel University College to kickoff the 8-month program.
In between educational workshops and planning sessions, these eleven youth shared more about the issues they want to address and why they are excited to be a part of the program:
Youth political activism is important to Abby Drewery, a grade 12 student from Jacob Hespeler Secondary School. In the past, Abby has struggled with feeling overwhelmed by politics and unheard by politicians despite her keen interest in political activism. She would like to create a program where young people have the opportunity to voice their opinions and feel heard within politics. Through this program, Abby aims to make connections and inspire other youth by creating a sense of community.
Alexandra Elmslie is a grade 12 student from John F. Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute passionate about mental health and youth with disabilities. Despite an increase in mental health supports available throughout the pandemic, Alexandra noticed the individuals with disabilities are often left out of the conversation. Alexandra wants to bring about awareness through education to the importance of mental health supports that are created by and for individuals with disabilities. She is excited to start her own initiative with the support and expertise of the educators at TREE.
Mackenzie Leu and Caitlin McGill are working together to tackle mental health. Both grade 11 students from Bluevale Collegiate Institute, Mackenzie and Caitlin are passionate about addressing the mental health implications of isolation due to COVID-19. Their interest in the topic arose when they realized that isolation negatively affects every demographic and that there are more ways that we can be supporting one another. Mackenzie and Caitlin are looking forward to developing their ideas in the company of likeminded individuals and benefiting from the mutual support of the program.
Natasha Nakhle is passionate about addressing cyberbullying and helping to build a more compassionate and empathetic online culture. A grade 12 student from St. Thomas of Villanova Secondary School, Natasha noticed that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased use in social media and, with it, an increase in cyberbullying. Natasha is looking forward to working alongside a diverse group of peers who also want to make change in their communities.
Shubham Patel is a grade 12 student from Preston High School, passionate about mental health and public speaking. Shubham personally experienced the challenges associated with anxiety and public speaking and was able to overcome these struggles with the help of a close friend’s support. Shubham recognized that many other young people were experiencing the same challenges but they may not have someone to lean on for support, leading him to want to address the issue. He is looking forward to learning from the expertise of the educators from TREE throughout the design and implementation process and benefitting from the community support of his peers.
Krista Abdel Sateris a grade 12 student from St. Anne Catholic High School with a passion for supporting newcomer youth. As a newcomer herself, Krista has lived experience with the challenges of starting high school without sufficient support. Krista’s number one goal is to positively impact society and she views the program as the perfect opportunity to create that change.
Mental health is an important topic for Mehak Tambe, a grade 12 student from Glenview Park Secondary School. After realizing the importance of addressing mental health for herself and her peers, Mehak began working on a project related to mental health and is looking forward to launching her project with the support of her mentor and educators at TREE.
For Nathan Wong, a grade 11 student from Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School and Vincent Chen, a grade 11 student from Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute, the environmental impacts of commercial industrialization are of concern. Friends since grade 6, Nathan and Vincent are both passionate about addressing climate change and hope this program will help them move beyond simply spreading a message towards meaningful action.
Kate Woo is passionate about addressing consent and gender-based violence. Kate is a grade 12 student from Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School and she wants to help create a safer community for youth, especially women, girls, and LGBTQ+ individuals. She plans to use her time in the program to collaborate and build connections with her peers, mentors, and the broader community.
Learn more about the Peace Innovators Scholarship and Mentoring Program, past participants, and how to apply to a future cohort.