Supporting the Youth Through Our Centre's Community-Based Programs

"Joy in the midst of oppression is its own kind of bravery."

— Brittney Morris, The Cost of Knowing 

At Kababayan Multicultural Centre (KMC), the voices and concerns of the next generation have always remained at the heart of our organization. In this article, we will talk about and share our centre's background in supporting racialized youth and the importance of youth initiatives and programs to help those in our community to empower themselves and each other. 

Kababayan Multicultural Centre's History in Supporting the Youth

Around 1990, we began offering programs that supported the needs of youth, women, and seniors within our communities, allowing them to access the care and support they needed with ease.  

In 1993, Filipino youth were banned from Scarborough Town Centre, one of the largest malls in the Greater Toronto Area. Filipino-Canadian comedian, Ron Josol, remembers this era of Canadian history as a guest on the “Filipinos in the 6ix” podcast. Ron tells about how his father would make his family split up so that they could enter the mall, saying "In Scarborough Town Centre, there was a sign that said 'No Filipinos allowed, more than three people'."

This rule was created in response to gang violence happening at the mall. However, KMC, then called Kababayan Community Service Centre, and one hundred other organizations, saw this rule as a form of racial injustice and decided to fight to get the rule removed. The ban was soon lifted, and KMC decided to produce a play called Mall Fright to document the incident.  

Combatting Isolation and Promoting Wellness 

Times have not changed at KMC.  

Since 2019, KMC has expanded its youth outreach by partnering with the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), creating after-school programs that promote positive stress management and social connections. Both our individual and group activities have helped to support the emotional, mental, and physical needs of students who have newly arrived in Canada.  

Last year, our Summer Wellness program brought diverse students from all over the GTA to learn how to combat social isolation and stress. Students who had just come from the Philippines, Somalia, and everywhere else in between participated in a day where they got to know their peers while also attending workshops and listening to speakers. 

The Summer Wellness program was a day filled with events known to relax symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression. Students came together to experience yoga, relaxation sessions with therapy dogs, and a panel on youth immigrant experiences. It was a fun way for our youth to get to know one another, to build and strengthen their community ties, and to help them understand that they are never alone in their immigrant journey.

Download our free Mental Health Resources for the Youth.

Empowering and Embracing Identity

Similarly, our Next Gen Youth Summit was aimed at empowering youth alongside Catholic Crosscultural Services (CCS).  

During this two-day summit, over 100 immigrant youths aged 15 to 25 years old, gathered at Scarborough Civic Centre to explore topics about identity, be surrounded by their peers, and build stronger Canadian identities.  

Hanen Nanaa, founder of Books Arts Music (BAM) Collective, gave an empowering keynote speech to our youth, reminding them of the strength that vulnerability has. As a refugee from Syria, Nanaa encouraged our youth to embrace the challenges that come their way and to take advantage of the opportunities that come from living in Canada. 

“There will be feedback and criticism, healthy criticism—take it, learn from that, and invest in yourself... remember to always tell people, and believe in it, that your voice matters, your story matters, and your lived experience matters.” 

In partnership with 18 community organizations like the YMCA of Greater Toronto, Centre for Immigrant & Community Services, The Neighbourhood Organization, Toronto Catholic District School Board, University of Toronto, and Toronto Metropolitan University, participants expanded their views on other cultures while also exploring their creativity.  

Some of the workshops included were: 

• Getting to Know Canada — Led by CICS and TNO, students had the chance to learn more about Canada’s rich culture and diverse communities.  

• Cultural Exchange — Facilitated by CCS, and KMC’s placement students, the youth gained insight into various traditions, customs, and worldviews through interactive activities and games.  

• Self-Identity / Cultural Pride —  A YMCA-led session promoted self-awareness, confidence, and the celebration of diversity, while encouraging participants to honour their cultural roots. 

At the end of the summit, it was clear to our youth that their unique migrant stories, on top of their diverse identities and ways of adjusting to Canada, were important enough to be shared. Their stories were real and valid. Their stories mattered.  

Creating Safe Spaces for Immigrant Youth 

There are times when being an immigrant, being so far away from the home you were familiar of, can be isolating. Homesickness is high, energy is low; making friends is hard, and you do not know where you belong.  

One of the programs we created to provide a safe space for the youth is our International Student Peer Support Group with OCASI. Upon its conception, the goal of this was to provide connections to youth who share similar experiences of isolation, homesickness, and the feelings that come with moving overseas.  

Over the 8 weeks, participants would attend weekly sessions in a program, where they were encouraged to lean on a community that knows what they're going through. Through the completed wellness activities, the emotional and social well-being of 15 student participants was encouraged within a virtual setting. Our online event allowed students to share their stories with one another for two months. 

Nurturing the Future Generations

Taking care of our next generation of leaders takes more than words; it takes action, too. Without the support of other organizations helping us support the racialized youth in our community, we would not have been able to help them combat the oppressive powers in our system.  

As Kababayan Multicultural Centre moves forward in continuing our support for youth, we are committed to paving a future that they can be confident to walk on.  

Learn more about our Youth Program and Services or reach out to one of our youth counsellors below:

Shane Torres, RSW  

Email address: storres@kababayan.org 

Mobile Number: 437-999-6083 

Vince Andrew Tangco, SSW 

Email address: vtangco@kababayan.org 

Contact Number: 647-328-9239