East Metro Youth Services: Say Word initiative

http://www.emys.on.ca/

The Say Word initiative uses multimedia as a tool to engage youth in an internship program that runs for 36 weeks of the year.

To date, 20 youth have been supported over two terms to take a lead role in the initiative, publishing newsletters and magazines and gaining employable skills such as writing, editing, broadcasting and photojournalism.

The initiative also provides youth with an opportunity to experience university life through a one-week summer camp at Ryerson. Youth stay in residence, take classes and get a sense of what post-secondary education would be like for them. Ryerson students also work with youth participants and mentor them at the EMYS Scarborough space throughout the course of the initiative.

The initiative has engaged some of the most hard-to-reach youth in the community, including youth who have been in conflict with the law. They are developing new skills and breaking down barriers to employment and education. One participant obtained the necessary education and supports to successfully enroll in the undergraduate journalism program at Ryerson.

Through YCF investment, community organizations and educational institutions have collaborated to create opportunities for youth from the east-end priority neighbourhoods to have a university experience. Teaching staff and graduate students from Ryerson have attested to the systemic changes that made this opportunity possible.