Coleen’s experience in Brick and Sole and Game Changers aligned with her passions
“Engagement was a problem in high school. It was hard to even go outside when we knew the risks we faced simply walking outside in our neighbourhood. That changed when the Black Student Summer Leadership Program at the Toronto District School Board let me know about Brick and Sole at The Neighbourhood Group.”
Brick and Sole engages youth in the Jane/Finch community by providing an outlet for creative expression through sneaker design. Working with shoe artist and designer, Deanna Livoti from Kickz by D, youth painted their own pair of donated Nike Air Force 1 shoes in a way that reflected their unique identity and connection to community and culture. Inspiration came from cultural and historical context, as well as excursions to the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Aga Khan Museum, culminating in an art show at Downsview Park. That inspiration also shone bright in Coleen’s youth space mural at 349 Ontario St.
But for Coleen, it was the Game Changers high-school school mediation program that aligned with her career path.
“I aim to pursue behavioural analysis and youth justice in university, and Game Changers gave me a place to learn and sharpen my skill. My wrestling coach once told me ‘you cannot truly be the best wrestler unless you can perfect one move from every position’. I like to translate that into life. No matter how comfortable you think you are, or bold you seem, the work is never done until you can talk to anyone, and motivate anyone. Brick and Sole allowed me to do that, where I could help others, even if I had my own challenges. I used that as a peer leader in Game Changers too.
“I gained a new level of patience I never knew I had. And I understood the importance of creating a safe environment, allowing young people to feel comfortable and build a level of trust. Through that, I was better able to understand what the students were going through, and why they might not be going to class, not doing their homework, and doing some of the other things where they get into trouble. That understanding is critical to help mediate when students got into trouble or to provide relevant resources to ensure no one is left behind. At the end of the day how can that not bring a smile to my face.”