Mickayla found her passion and direction through Youth Awoken
“I grew up in rough neighbourhood. I had no plans after high school, just figuring that I’d work. But Youth Awoken changed all that.”
Located in the Taylor-Massey neighbourhood, a historically underserved, high-needs community, Youth Awoken helps young people with anything they need, whether it’s homework, volunteer hours, access to a nurse or councillor, or just a safe space to have fun after school.
“Getting involved with the program gave me things to do after school, which was really nice. It was a space where we could come together, eat some snacks, enjoy company and build community. For myself, it changed my life. It gave me the opportunity to engage with other people in different ways than I ever thought was possible. Just having the support there really made me feel confident that I could take on university. Staff helped me with applications and reference letters, which was really helpful. None of my family members had ever gone to university before and the experience was new to all of us.
“Today I’m studying criminology so I can do restorative justice work with black and indigenous youth. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to go to university. I got a taste of that work when I shadowed the team at Game Changers, a TNGCS restorative justice program for youth in schools. The work they do with high-risk youth really shaped what I want to do.
“I also wanted to give back and am currently the president of the university’s student association. We represent all the undergraduate students there. In that role, I've been able to advocate for students, even lobbying our Members of Parliament.
“All of that came from the confidence and connection to community I and other youth got from Youth Awoken.”
6,396 young people improved their well-being through academic and employment support, as well as mental health, arts, recreational, mentorship, advocacy and justice programs