[REX]

• Reflecting on your learning, which assumptions about cannabis, users, or communities have been challenged, and what did that reveal about your practice?

[REX]

What challenges have you encountered when integrating new knowledge from the certificate into your practice? How have you addressed them, or what support would help?

[REX]

We’d love your feedback. As you’ve engaged with the Call-In-Cards during the workshops, which activities or scenarios have been most impactful? How have they influenced your understanding, reflection, or practice related to addressing anti-Black racism?

• This discussion was modified 7 hours, 24 minutes ago by  REX Virtual Cafe.

[REX]

This prompt invites youth sector professionals to reflect on how their programs and practices are accountable to the lived experiences of Black youth, rather than only following institutional policies. It encourages thinking about inclusion, equity, and youth-led design in services and initiatives.

[REX]

Decentering the harm of ABR by reflecting on revolution.

• This discussion was modified 7 hours, 31 minutes ago by  REX Virtual Cafe.

[mogbeyi]

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 as the next step.

Community outings became a turning point. On his first bus ride, he froze when it was time to exit. I paused, realized he needed more preparation, and from then on explained how many stops were left and let him choose how to leave.

Later, I worked with his family and the school board to ensure he could continue in school, as Ontario allows students with special needs to remain until 21. This moment still lives with me because it showed me how small adjustments can create big changes.

[REX]

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 support looks like.

• This reply was modified 7 hours, 42 minutes ago by  REX Virtual Cafe.

[Linda]

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 the program so that youth receiving the best possible care needed and that programs have an opportunity to expand based on that data and feedback.

[REX]

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.

[kamini]

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 minorities have in their care, but they may lack knowledge about racialized trauma, systemic barriers, and practical ways to implement Anti-Black racism practices in their work. I also think initiatives towards education for both racialized communities and those providing care are needed to foster understanding, improve services, and create meaningful change.

[REX]

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 next steps for creating real, systemic change.

[kamini]

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 fact that these conversations are happening more today is an important first step.

Canada is often portrayed as a multicultural democracy, a “mosaic” where diversity is celebrated. However, that narrative can also allow anti-Black racism to remain unacknowledged and overlooked. I believe challenging this perception is crucial; meaningful change will be difficult if our lens remains clouded by this idealized view of Canadian identity.

I’ve also come to recognize that racialized groups within Canada can unintentionally, in their own unique ways, contribute to anti-Black racism. Addressing and challenging harmful perspectives within these communities is just as important. If we want racism to be acknowledged and dismantled in Canada, the work must take place both in broader society and within racialized groups themselves.

[Caitlin]

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 me and if I could meaningfully contribute.

The Executive Director (who has since become one of my dearest friends) hosted an elaborate, gorgeous picnic at a park in Jane-Finch to welcome the new team. I was surrounded by other young women and non-binary folks who embraced me with warmth. It was one of the first times I experienced the convergence of my identities; my girlhood, my advocacy for community, and the shared joy and resilience of being held by a team of young people who carried these identities too.

Our night ended with the heaviest rainfall I’ve ever experienced, but in true Flaunt-It fashion, going through it together cemented the approach we would take when going through experiences as racialized, Black, and gender-diverse young people labelled “at-risk”: with joy and with each other. I laughed harder that day than I had in a long time, and I still laugh when I remember it, almost five years later.

I also always think fondly of one of my first Flaunt-It photoshoots. It was makeshift: an Amazon backdrop, a few living room chairs, and a dream! Yet it turned out to be my favourite photoshoot ever. I loved how it captured the beauty, inherent talent, and vibrancy of Jane-Finch and how, no matter how few or many resources we have, we always, always make it work.

Since beginning my youth work in 2020, I’ve learned that being a young person from my community while also serving and advocating for it is incredibly difficult. I’m constantly navigating life myself while also applying for funding, being a resource for my community and others, and so much more. Still, moments like this remind me why I do this work: they ground me in what I know and love, the resilience, creativity, and brilliance of my community. 💞

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 2 days ago by  Caitlin Arizala.

[REX]

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 really shows the brilliance of Jane-Finch and Rexdale and why this work matters so deeply.

[Lisa]

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 thoughtful evaluation process. One point raised in the Beyond Measures findings regarding how funders often measure success through participant numbers which fails to acknowledge capacity and true impact that cannot be numerically measured. Our youth program may serve up to around 10 students, but it is mostly students who keeping coming back after years of attending when they were younger. They make new friends here, they learn visual art together, and they choose to keep attending.

With our organization’s youth program that teaches youth ages 11-15, I find it to sometimes be a challenge to collect useful feedback. This is something I am still working on, since this age group seems to require more facilitation and they do not fully understand the lack of resources our organization has, of course. The term “youth” spans across such a wide range and I am specifically struggling with the younger half of the range since they are still so young and influenced by one another! Although we often ask for feedback and they are open to it, I still struggle with this: How exactly do I measure with this information and how do I even use it?

[Kiera]

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 the things people like to keep hidden. When we spread information it can lead to reflection and collaboration. For institutions it can spark conversations in meetings. That can develop into a deeper understand for everyone involved. It shows that it is not only affecting Black youth in society but society as a whole. When forced to see the devastating affects it can make an impact with those who have not been paying attention to the issue.

[REX]

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 these issues. Your points underscore the importance of using evidence to drive awareness and meaningful change.

[Kiera]

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 and control would need to make strides for small changes. When people are comfortable with how things are and when they ignore the issue because it ‘doesn’t affect them’ the complacency perpetuates Anti-Black racism. I agree with a lot of what has been said in this chat. Bringing in ideas from different perspectives really helps to solidify what was taught in the module.

[Adrienne]

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 the webinar: “Supporting Youth Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis: Critical Understandings and Hopeful Practices.” Many of the youth I work with share their experiences of anxiety and grief they have regarding climate change, and this webinar helped me to think through how to best support them.

https://youthrex.com/webinar/supporting-youth-in-the-climate-crisis-critical-understandings-and-hopeful-practices/

The webinar started with a powerful spoken word poem Robyn Kaur Sidhu, where they grounded us in thinking about the relationship between Land and our bodies. It also featured the research of Laura Glover, exploring the ways youth experience the climate crisis and youth work’s role in supporting young people in the context of the climate crisis. I appreciated her uplifting Indigenous knowledge systems in the space, acknowledging how Indigenous Peoples are uniquely vulnerable to the warming climate and the ways that Inuit, First Nations, and Metis communities advance life-affirming and holistic solutions. Willo Prince echoed these ideas, acknowledging the harm of “othering” the Land, as opposed to a holistic view that uplifts the interconnectedness between ourselves and our environment.

This conversation gave me some insight into the ways the climate crisis and youth are intertwined, introduced me to climate leaders doing their work with attention to young people’s experiences, and provided resources for continued learning – including this Evidence Brief: https://youthrex.com/evidence-brief/supporting-youth-wellbeing-in-the-climate-crisis-six-key-understandings-and-five-promising-practices/

• This reply was modified 1 month, 2 weeks ago by  Adrienne.

youthrex.com

Supporting Youth Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis: Critical Understandings and Hopeful Practices - Youth Research and Evaluation eXchange

This webinar was hosted by YouthREX. HERE’S HOW THE HOSTS DESCRIBE THIS WEBINAR: Climate change is a crisis – an urgent political, social, economic, environmental, and existential issue. Youth wellbeing is uniquely impacted by this crisis, as young people have limited access to institutional … Continue reading

[Kathe]

❤❤❤

[Saima]

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 repeatedly applying and receiving rejections, they often become discouraged, stressed, and may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, developing a negative outlook on life. This is not only harmful to youth, but also to society as a whole.

Is there any ongoing evaluation or research being conducted to understand and address this issue? Will there ever be a system that guarantees or at least increases the certainty of securing apprenticeships after graduation, helping youth transition into the workforce meaningfully and responsibly? Many young workers who do find placements, particularly in smaller enterprises, report experiencing mistreatment or unprofessional behavior from employers.

I believe this area urgently needs attention, and evaluations of such issues could help identify gaps and lead to the development of more supportive, structured, and positive strategies for youth employment in skilled trades.

[Saima]

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 repeatedly applying and receiving rejections, they often become discouraged, stressed, and may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, developing a negative outlook on life. This is not only harmful to youth, but also to society as a whole.

Is there any ongoing evaluation or research being conducted to understand and address this issue? Will there ever be a system that guarantees or at least increases the certainty of securing apprenticeships after graduation, helping youth transition into the workforce meaningfully and responsibly? Many young workers who do find placements, particularly in smaller enterprises, report experiencing mistreatment or unprofessional behavior from employers.

I believe this area urgently needs attention, and evaluations of such issues could help identify gaps and lead to the development of more supportive, structured, and positive strategies for youth employment in skilled trades.

[REX]

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. Evidence-based approaches could guide the development of more equitable pathways, including stronger partnerships between post-secondary institutions, employers, and regulatory bodies to ensure consistent access and supportive environments for apprentices. Addressing these gaps is not only vital for youth well-being but broader economic stability for all.

[REX]

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.

[REX]

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.

• This reply was modified 5 hours ago by  REX Virtual Cafe.

[REX]

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 beyond listening is creating structured opportunities for youth to co-create and lead, whether through advisory councils, mentorship programs, or collaborative projects. It’s not just about asking what they need, but actively supporting them to design, implement, and sustain programs that reflect their vision and cultural realities. This makes inclusion and equity tangible, not theoretical. Thank you so much, once again.

[REX]

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 policies.

We could also explore mentorship networks that connect Black youth to leaders in their communities and industries, so pathways to leadership and entrepreneurship aren’t just theoretical, but tangible and supported. This way, inclusion becomes part of the program design itself, rather than an afterthought.

[REX]

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 future? We’d love to hear how they’ve been received in practice and any insights from facilitating those conversations.

[REX]

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!

[Kathe]

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

And, yes, vulnerability is absolutely a strength!