Anti-Black racism remains a problem in Ontario because it is one of the foundational values of the colonial state. As a result of capitalism, white supremacy, and colonialism, anti-Black racism is rooted within the country and province through its systems and institutions which are built to oppress Indigenous communities, Black communities…

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One challenge mentioned in the Beyond Measure study that is similar to my experience working with the YMCA youth basketball program is limited time and staff capacity for evaluation.

In the YMCA youth basketball program, most of the focus was on running practices, games, and keeping youth safe and engaged. Because staff and coaches were busy…

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As we invite you to share how youth work has shaped you, we’re highlighting findings from the Ontario Youth Sector Compass, a research project exploring the experiences of young people and youth workers across Ontario. We sought to understand what supports help young people thrive, and what youth workers need to do their jobs in healthy,…

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Recently, I was reminded of the importance of integrating evaluation into a program’s activities rather than treating it as an external oversight. By doing so, we can promote stronger relationships, mutual respect, and the healing of any harm caused by traditional evaluation methods. Instead of imposing evaluations, we should encourage…

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What data do you already collect as part of your program?

Number of clients served

Case notes and review updates

Attendance for events and activities

Location, age, dob, gender, name

Type of services received

Referral/opening/closure information

What data could you be collecting that you are not currently collecting?

Client stories

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Dear Gary,

Thank you so much for sharing this reflection – it’s incredibly rewarding to hear how the cards sparked such meaningful dialogue and perspective shifts in the recruiter trainings. I love seeing how something that seems simple can really open space for deeper understanding and reflection.

We’re grateful for the care and creativity you…

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Logical Outcomes is hiring a Senior Evaluator, Black Communities Focus.

What you’ll do:

• Lead the AI Lab for B3 Cohorts (Black-serving, Black-led, Black-focused organizations)
• Design evaluation frameworks for community programs
• Facilitate co-design processes for AI solutions
• Apply culturally responsive and equity-focused evaluation methods

They’re…

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Greetings,

We recently used the call-in cards with several GTA universities’ recruitment teams as part of their recruiter training (for free – lol!).

What was powerful about using the cards in this way was hearing multiple attendees say, “We spent so much time on what we need to know to tell others, but we hadn’t spent time discussing how we…

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The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is recruiting Ontario youth to participate in a virtual climate action Photovoice research study.

Ontario youth ages 12 to 25 are invited to join the study, which will explore how climate change impacts young people, what sparks hope, and ways to promote collective action.

Youth will be invited…

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As you reflect on your journey with the Centering Black Youth and Wellbeing Certificate, check out these 5 resources from our Knowledge Hub that explore healing justice, Ubuntu, and anti-racism practices to support Black and racialized youth:

📄 Healing Practices for Black & Racialized Youth – Evidence-based practices you can integrate into…

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The Government of Canada’s Youth Justice Fund is currently accepting new proposals for both multi-year and short-term pilot projects starting between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.

Youth-serving organizations are invited to apply for funding for projects that promote community safety by addressing the root causes of youth…

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FREE TRAIN-THE-TRAINER WORKSHOP ON OCTOBER 14TH!

Each of YouthREX’s 16 Call-In-Cards for Anti-Black Racism Action presents a real-world scenario and four reflective prompts, designed to encourage self-reflection, collective learning, and meaningful action. Each card explores issues such as power, identity, language, belonging, and…

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Explore the actions you can take to respond to anti-Black racism at YouthREX’s upcoming free train-the-trainer workshop!

Each of YouthREX’s 16 Call-In-Cards for Anti-Black Racism Action presents a real-world scenario and four reflective prompts, designed to encourage self-reflection, collective learning, and meaningful action. Each card…

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In Module 1, Nene Kwasi Kefele situates us in the historical and contextual realities of Black/African Canadians, including the story of Mathieu da Costa (1604)—an interpreter between the Mi’kmaq and the French, and one of the earliest recorded Black presences in what is now Canada. If this history exists, and is foundational—why isn’t it…

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FREE YOUTHREX WEBINAR ON SEPTEMBER 25TH! 🙌

Join Dr. Svetlana Jovič from the State University of New York at Old Westbury as she shares insights from her research on socio-cognitive development among youth growing up in contexts of inequity. Svetlana explores how young people ‘story’ their experiences and how shifting perspectives in…

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The Anti-Hero’s Intervention

The air on the Finch West bus was thick with the humid promise of a Toronto summer evening in 2006. Our anti-hero stood near the rear exit, his gaze soft but steady as he watched a group of teenagers board at Jane Street. They moved as one organism, loud, kinetic, a jumble of nervous energy and bravado. One of them,…

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Dear Saima- Thank you for raising and highlighting these concerns. You’ve highlighted a critical gap in youth workforce development, particularly in skilled trades. From a program and policy perspective, structured evaluations of apprenticeship availability, employer practices, and youth outcomes are essential to inform systemic improvements.…

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Anshdeep- Thank you for sharing, indeed evaluation goes beyond reporting outcomes and becomes a tool for continuous learning and growth. It allows youth programs to listen, reflect, and adapt, ensuring that they are responsive to the needs of the youth they serve.

Thank you for sharing these insights. Certainly- program evaluation is the essential for understanding what works , what does not and improving outcomes for the youth. Collecting and analyzing data not only ensures that youth receive the best possible support but also allows programs to grow and adapt.

Thank you so much for sharing- combining research with the voices of Black youth is crucial for understanding the real impacts of anti-Black racism. Adding that aspect of humanism in data and research – that is often abstract.

Kiera- thank you for sharing these insights; making research on anti-Black racism visible and accessible is a powerful way to spark reflection, dialogue, and collaboration. Highlighting the systemic impacts not only on Black youth and their families but on society as a whole can help engage those who may not yet recognize the depth of…

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Kamini- Thank you for sharing these thoughtful reflections; bringing these conversations into workplaces and creating accessible educational initiatives is essential. Your insights on supporting professionals to understand racialized trauma and implement meaningful anti-Black racism practices are especially valuable, and highlight important…

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Dear Samantha– really appreciate your reflection—it highlights an important distinction between listening to youth and truly engaging with their expertise. I think the emphasis on not just modifying existing systems, but imagining services designed for Black youth from the ground up, is critical.

To add to your point, I think part of moving…

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Kerry- I love the focus on Youth-Adult Partnerships and culturally affirming spaces. To build on that, I think we also need to embed accountability and reflection into these programs—for both youth and adults. For example, creating spaces where adults learn from youth experiences and where youth are supported to give feedback that shapes program…

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Hi Mogbeyi,

Thank you so much for this thoughtful reflection on the Call-In-Cards. You’ve really captured their purpose—especially the importance of the “call-in” approach for fostering learning, growth, and meaningful dialogue around ABR.

I’m curious—have you had a chance to lead any activities using the Call-In-Cards yet, or plan to in the…

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Caitlin 💛 , thank you for sharing it with us.
I love how you capture that mix of joy, community, and resilience, from the picnic in the rain to the makeshift photoshoot.
It’s such a powerful reminder of how youth work is about heart, creativity, and holding space for each other, even while we’re navigating our own journeys.
Your reflection…

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Mogbeyi 💛 Wow, thank you for sharing this.

The way you met him where he was, supported his voice, and worked with his family and school is so inspiring.

It really shows how patience and small, intentional steps can open up big possibilities for young people.

Stories like this remind us why this work matters and keep us grounded in what true…

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A moment I’ll never forget is when a young person transferred into my care at 18, and I began supporting him as his Primary Case Worker. When he first arrived, he relied mainly on gestures, so I respected that while gradually reintroducing PECs. Over time, he grew more confident, and the plan is to introduce more advanced means of communication…

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Mogbeyi! What an amazing response, thank you for sharing your journey with the work that you do. We are just wondering if you have been able to use the call in cards lately for any facilitations, or if you have introduced a colleague , a friend to the Call in Cards? Please do share with us!

Program evaluation have have a profound effect on improving youth programs because it asks questions related to what is working/not working, how are these outcomes achieved, and ultimately what are the service gaps that need to be paid attention to. It is vital that youth programs collect data that provides more information on the efficacy of…

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I found this module to be very important. I think finding ways to bring these conversations forward and present the findings in workplaces would be a great place to start—especially in social service, medical, mental health care, and law enforcement settings. Many professionals genuinely want to make a change in the experiences that racial…

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I agree with much of what’s been shared in this discussion. Anti-Black racism is deeply rooted in Canadian culture and society, with origins tracing back to the country’s formation. For many generations, racism was, and still is, something felt and experienced, but rarely spoken about openly—particularly the negative impacts it has had. The…

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I’ll never forget it! It was the summer before the COVID-19 pandemic, and I had just started as a Community Outreach Coordinator with Flaunt-It Movement. Back then, I hadn’t yet realized the impact this work would have on the trajectory of my life and my connection to Jane-Finch and Rexdale; instead, I worried about whether the team would like…

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At the tiny organization I work at (with only 2 staff including myself), the challenges with evaluation come down to lack of capacity and time – as always! While wearing so many hats and juggling so many responsibilities, running the program itself already requires a great deal of capacity, let alone completing a comprehensive and…

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Using research findings to highlight and challenge the impact of anti-Black racism on youth and their families can be done in many ways. For those who are not aware or disregard anti-Black racism in Canada using hard facts from research can help demonstrate the deep rooted issue. Making that research public and easily accessible can highlight…

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Anti-Black racism continues to be a problem within Canadian society and it will persist as it is rooted in Canadian culture. The racism is fundamental to the function of our society. Through institutions, and societal norms. When only some people are even aware of racism in Canada only so much can and will be done. People in positions of power…

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❤❤❤

I love these reflections, Maria, and I love revisiting this incredible piece ❤

And, yes, vulnerability is absolutely a strength!

Over the years I have learned so much from YouthREX webinars, resources, and online certificates. Of course it’s always a joy to see so many folks invested in youth wellbeing coming together for a meal and meaningful conversation – something YouthREX has facilitated countless times.

Lately I am often returning to learnings and reflections from…

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I feel deeply disappointed by the limited availability of internship and apprenticeship opportunities in the youth sector, especially for skilled trades. Many young people graduating from competitive college programs—such as electricians—struggle to find apprenticeships in their field, which are essential for entering the job market. After…

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I feel deeply disappointed by the limited availability of internship and apprenticeship opportunities in the youth sector, especially for skilled trades. Many young people graduating from competitive college programs—such as electricians—struggle to find apprenticeships in their field, which are essential for entering the job market. After…

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I’ve had the privilege of working with YouthREX for the past four years, and during this time, I’ve learned so much from young people. One of the most important lessons they’ve taught me is that one of our greatest superpowers is the courage to speak up.

A moment that deeply resonated with me was during the YouthREX Teach-in, Resisting…

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NEW Physical Call-In-Cards pouches are now available!

This zipper pouch includes the four decks of The Kit‘s Call-In-Cards for Anti-Black Racism Action across four themes — with 16 scenarios from Black youth and four prompts that guide critical self-reflection to support anti-Black racism action — plus a user guide!

Click here to request your FREE…

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The YouthREX team is hosting regular online workshops to share The Kit for Centering Black Youth Wellbeing and support use of The Call-In-Cards for Anti-Black Racism Action! The first will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 10AM EST.

The Call-In-Cards, the action component of The Kit, centre critical self-reflexivity as the source and impetus…

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Some of you may have already visited The Kit for Centering Black Youth Wellbeing and explored The Call-In-Cards for Anti-Black Racism Action. For those who haven’t, this resource is the action component of The Kit — four decks of cards across four themes, featuring 16 scenarios with four prompts to guide critical self-reflexivity in support of…

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Thank YOU, Cyril — me too!

I am so glad you shared this poem @rubydalvina – these insights are beautiful. I have been reflecting and speaking about Humanism and “Strategic Essentialism” (Gayatri Spivak) lately, discussing the need to address labels and stereotypes without allowing these divisive categories to dehumanize. It is lovely to read a work like this…

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