The Village: Supporting Black youth in care

Serving racialized youth in care Keeping children safe and supporting families is an organizational priority. We practice from an anti-oppressive framework to ensure that principles of equity is embedded in all that we do. We recognize that systemic inequities all work together to produce disparities such as over-representation. We interrogate and implicate our systems and processes to identify how we re-produce and produce unfavorable outcomes for various communities. Background:

Child and Family PEEL CAS HOSPITAL POLICE Schools Mainstream Services Criminal Justice

In 2009 the “Black History Month” Committee created a video That captured the voices of Black youth in care. The youth provided Insight and recommendations on how the system can better meet their needs Participants stated that Black youth need a space to call their own where they can openly speak about issues that impact them and receive support. Through hearing the voice of our youth “The Village” was created Support from Senior Management and received funding from the Peel Children’s Aid Foundation. The inception of The Village

5 The Village The Village is a safe and inclusive space for youth of African and Caribbean descent to come together once a month and connect with staff members who are sensitive to their social location.

Objectives of The Village To have a sense of belonging and community through mentor and peer connection Youth will have a meaningful understanding of their heritage and culture To experience a culturally safe space to express ideas and feelings Explore the positive contributions of the Black community Reinforce the importance of education, civic engagement, and social justice in our community

The Village Framework Afro-centric framework Afro-centric framework Anti-oppression and Social Justice Permanency and youth success model Youth voice and engagement

8 Youth ages We meet with the youth monthly Explore various cultural foods from the African continent Diaspora Relevant topics are facilitated by Ujima members and Black community members Once a year excursions 1 Program structure and session

9 2 Village sessions Education Identity and internalized oppression African history and colonization Healthy relationships and sexuality Criminal justice Black History tours: Nova Scotia, Chatham Kent, St. Catherine Museum and The Griffen House

Program Development Promising Practices Taking a bottom up approach to planning Having the anti-oppression as an agency pillar which creates Board and Senior leadership support Having staff that identify with our youth as mentors Creating programming that is socially relevant No judgement, no limits, no labels Focus on relationships Be flexible

Youth Voice

12 Where Black guys and Black girls come together and share Where colour is not looked upon but character Sense of community, sense of belonging Feel accepted, people want to get to you and you feel wanted The Village is a valuable experience because it’s all I have. When I go to school there are only 5 Black kids and when I come here I feel that everyone is my brother and sister I learn to be a leader I feel brave, it’s encouraging to learn about my people Bad things are said about Africa I thought was true. The Village has shown me that I can be proud of my heritage. Evaluation: Qualitative Feedback

RECOGNITIONS 2012 Youth Leadership Best in Community Award from United Way of Peel Region’s Black Community Advisory Council 2011 Diversity in Governance Award from DiverseCity on Board – Maytree Foundation. News stories and articles written about The Village in locally and within the GTA