12 projects where Waterloo Region youth are tackling local challenges
Young people across Waterloo Region have been busy putting their ideas to work.
Back in June 2024, 12 projects proposed by local youth received a total of $70,000 through the Youth Impact Project by the Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region and Smart Waterloo Region.
A Dragon’s Den-style panel of youth decided which projects would receive funding to make their idea a reality. The Youth Impact Project’s goal is to fund young people as they address local challenges identified through the 2023 Youth Impact Survey results. This means the projects focus on supporting youth mental and physical health, increasing feelings of belonging, and responding to climate change and food insecurity.
Some of the 12 projects are complete, while others are still ramping up. Learn more about each of the projects below, in the youth’s words:
1. Book-a-pedia (Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo)
In their own words: “The club focusing on books by racialized and Indigenous authors addresses the lack of representation of these voices in mainstream literature and media. By highlighting diverse perspectives, the club ensures that youth have access to stories that reflect their own experiences.”
This club has been active since Fall 2024. Any young people who would like to join the book club can contact NIROW.
2. Churchill Basketball (Kinbridge Community Association)
This group is restoring their neighbourhood basketball court at Churchill Park in Cambridge so people of all ability levels can participate and enjoy the space.
In their own words: “We’ve recently established communication with the manager of parks, and we’re in the process of inviting him to join our youth council to discuss our proposal.”
3. Empowering Newcomers Aesthetics Program (Kinbridge Community Association)
In their own words: “Our Newcomer Girls’ Hairstyling and Aesthetics Program has officially wrapped up! Our amazing youth participants learned hands-on hairstyling and makeup skills in collaboration with Studio 86 Salon.”
4. Harvest to Garnish (Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region)
In their own words: “We’re combating food insecurity and promoting ecological sustainability through interactive cooking and gardening workshops. We begin with gardening in the afternoon and cooking in the evening. Participants will be led by cooking and gardening instructors who will guide their hands-on learning through cooking their own meals and tending to the vegetables they grow.”
The group’s workshops were completed in summer 2024. Follow Harvest to Garnish on Instagram.
5. Kairos (Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health)
In their own words: “Our idea is to change the traditional concept of success in newcomer families, as many believe going to university is the only way to build stability in their life. We hope to push a broader sense of trades as many do not realize how beneficial and adaptive the field is.”
This group is currently in the planning stages of their project.
6. Project Astraeus (UC GreenHouse)
In their own words: “We’re a new organization based in Waterloo, fostering an interest in engineering and entrepreneurship, in youth who lack such outlets. Through project development and hands-on seminars, we are empowering students to positively impact their communities while growing as future innovators, regardless of their network.”
This project is ongoing. Follow Project Astraeus on Instagram.
7. Soccer, Shirts, and Snacks (Langs)
This group’s soccer tournament project happened November 1, 2024.
In their own words: “We had tons of food and games throughout, with a poutine and smoothie lunch. Each youth played in three games of soccer and every youth went home with a brand-new soccer ball.”
8. Sunset Youth Market (Kitchener Youth Action Council)
The Sunset Market gave youth a platform to build entrepreneurial skills while also raising funds for oneROOF Youth Services. The Market (held August 16, 2024) was a huge success, hosting 16 youth vendors and raising over $200 to address youth homelessness in the Region.
9. The Welcoming Table (Volunteer Waterloo Region)
Many students go to school hungry and experience bullying. This duo is inviting newcomers to their school group where they can combat hunger and discrimination. In their own words: “The program was a big success, with so many students and faculty at the school finding a notable improvement in the participants’ mental health and wellbeing.”
10. Voices4Youth (Adventure4Change)
In their own words: “Voices4Youth wants to create a media channel to connect with community members and key figures to talk about the community, highlight community voices, share about achievements, and identify where there might be challenges and spaces for solutions.”
This project is currently in planning stages.
11. Youth FunFest (SVP Teens)
In their own words: “Youth FunFest started as a Youth Impact Project pitch. Granted $5,000 to carry out this event, our mission is to combat the lack of events for teens and to host a fun, unforgettable day to ensure youth are free to play!”
This free event happened in September 2024 and over 150 youth attended.
“It being youth-led made us bond even more as a team,” said Peace Okunlola, who helped pitch the Youth Fun Fest project. “We learned more about teamwork, we learned more about leadership, we learned more about time management and the importance of delegation in a team.”
12. Youth-Led Circles (KW Multicultural Centre)
In their own words: “This is a week-long event designed to empower newcomer youth through mutual advice sharing, leadership training, community engagement activities, and supportive forums discussing issues like mental health/self-esteem, cultural identity, and environmental advocacy. We ran a pilot in April 2024 and hope to use our funding to expand our program.”
This project is currently in planning stages.
