You Matter: Redefined Self Development Program
Over 5 fall weekends, ACCESS Bright Ideas Pitch recipient YouMatter hosted a self-development series for youth age 15—22 to come together and grow.
Many young people miss the value in self-development, so YouMatter had a goal to redefine some of the unhealthy mindsets young people have been struggling with to truly help plant the right seeds for them to bloom greatness in this world.
Enter the REDEFINED 2.0 program, which took place in Brampton in October and November with support from The ACCESS Fund.
Over the course of the program with different topics each week, youth learned about:
Leadership/Team Building
Mental Health Awareness
Creative Arts
Youth Entrepreneurship
Budgeting
With great guest speakers, youth and young adult YouMatter team members co-facilitated the sessions.
On the first Saturday of the program for example, the program covered leadership styles and gave tools on how to work with each one, identify your own leadership style, and how to communicate effectively despite how you may agree or disagree with other types of leaders.
“It was all about being confident in yourself as a leader within the community making the right decisions and learning from the wrong ones, and owning your voice, while learning how to work effectively with others, while owning what you bring to the table!”
Throughout the program, the group of youth participants were engaged, interactive and learned a lot.
”We truly enjoyed how each facilitator was chill, connected and related to the youth, shared their stories but was also able to leave us thinking and equipped us with the necessary tools to help us be successful in the business and financial world. The youth were receptive, asked questions and we learned so much.”
In the fifth week, a celebration was hosted at Brampton’s Green Briar Community Centre, where the youth received their certificate of completion. Two of the youth were guest speakers, followed by performances and a good time.
It’s important for youth to have an outlet to learn more about themselves and each other within the community, being empowered by other youth and young adults — enabling "real” conversations about life, the struggles they may face, and how to avoid and overcome them.
“As we come together to help build each other up and push past the barriers we may face in life.”
Educate. Empower. Inspire.
