Black Action Defense Committee

http://toronto.ibegin.com/misc/black-action-defence-committee

The initiative focuses on gang-exit, youth employment, community involvement and leadership of young people in Jane-Finch and Weston-Mt. Dennis.

Completely youth-led and youth-driven, it engages youth who are out of school and out of work, teaching them how to take street skills and adapt them to workplaces through mentorship, workshops and a drop-in centre. It also promotes entrepreneurship, providing access to a studio space and hip-hop program where youth produce CDs and partner with CHRY, York University's radio station.

Programming continually evolves according to the needs of participants. Originally the initiative focused on mobilizing young Black men in gangs. Through critical discussions they realized they were not responding to the needs of young Black women in the same neighbourhoods. As a result, the Set It Off Girls Group developed, which focuses on empowering young racialized women through critical discussions about identity and life skills. They have since become a partner in the Round 8 Legacy initiative Young Women’s Collaborative.