Youth Programs
Since 2021 Uzima has delivered youth-focused workshops on safety, wellness, leadership and career development — culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and led by young people themselves.
Youth Violence & Human Trafficking Prevention
A community-based initiative supporting at-risk youth aged 12–29 across Toronto. Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the program focuses on violence prevention, mental health and youth empowerment through education, creativity and digital engagement.
It works with youth facing complex challenges — exposure to violence, homelessness, human trafficking risk, disengagement from education or employment, and social marginalization — creating safe, inclusive spaces where they can build resilience, develop skills and access meaningful support.
What we do
Youth engagement & development — workshops and activities that promote mental wellness, safety and life skills.
Suvat Blue — youth-led digital platform where youth create videos, blogs, podcasts and photography raising awareness on violence prevention and anti-trafficking.
Human trafficking prevention — interactive sessions helping youth recognise risks and stay safe.
Substance use & mental health support — harm-reduction education and mental health literacy through expert-led workshops.
Art therapy & storytelling — creative expression and lived experience to support healing and amplify youth voices.
Impact
Increased youth engagement in positive, pro-social activities · improved awareness of violence prevention and personal safety · strengthened mental health literacy and access to support · enhanced community partnerships and coordinated services · youth voices amplified through digital storytelling and peer education.
Delivered with
Harm Reduction Toronto — tailored education on substance use, harm reduction and mental health. Strides Toronto — specialised trafficking-prevention workshops grounded in safety, awareness and real-world scenarios. Mental health practitioners — psychotherapists, social workers and art therapists providing trauma-informed creative wellness support. Community agencies — resource sharing, cross-referrals and coordinated care.
Workshop series
Human Trafficking Prevention Series
An ongoing educational series on youth safety, prevention, awareness and understanding the risks of human trafficking. Delivered in partnership with community organizations.
Substance Use, Harm Reduction & Mental Health
A continued workshop series giving youth tools to understand substance use, strengthen mental wellness and practise harm reduction.
Career & Skill-Building Workshops
Youth development workshops building confidence, exploring career paths and giving practical skills such as public speaking and childcare experience.
Jobs, grants and leadership
PHAC Youth Mental Health Project
A PHAC-funded initiative supporting Black youth affected by violence and trauma through culturally informed, trauma-aware mental health resources. It strengthens digital supports through Suvat, builds community partnerships, and expands access to culturally grounded care across Canada.
Elexicon Youth Mental Health Awareness
Supports Black youth aged 12–29 in Durham Region by promoting culturally relevant mental health awareness. Through workshops, educational resources and community outreach it encourages open conversations, reduces stigma and strengthens access to support.
Black Youth Empowerment Towards Community Development
Funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, BYETCD empowered 100 Black youth aged 15–30 with $5,000 micro-grants to create and implement their own service projects — developing leadership skills, building professional networks and gaining life skills while making a real impact in their communities.
Led by Uzima in collaboration with the Kenyan Canadian Association and other partners, the program offered mentorship, workshops and volunteering opportunities, fostering agency, self-efficacy and community engagement.
Canada Summer Jobs
Uzima hires youth from Toronto and the GTA each summer. They work across every program running in the organization and build their academic and employment skills in return.
See open roles →In their own words
Youth share how workshops, creative sessions and community initiatives have supported their growth, confidence and well-being — the impact of safe, inclusive spaces where they can express themselves, build connections and develop skills for their future.
▶ Youth testimonial · 2:14
▶ Art therapy session · 3:02
▶ Storytelling workshop · 1:48
What we've delivered
The Kindred Project
Dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of Black youth communities through workshops, mentorship, leadership development and pro-social activities. A core feature was an advisory committee of selected Black youth who led and executed all project activities, while youth staff developed and managed Uzima's mental health social media campaigns — ensuring authentic, youth-driven communication.
The F.U.N Program
Training sessions empowering youth with skills in digital marketing, web development and employment. Professional mentors covered documentation and communication between product marketers and developers, user-experience principles — design for your users, not for yourself — copywriting, branding and tone of voice, journey mapping, and interview and resume skills including how to make a positive impression.
The youth staff who took part in this program have gone on to grow successful careers with other companies and organizations.
Three ways in
Join a workshop
Ages 12–29 in Toronto and the GTA, or in Durham Region for the Elexicon project. Free, and no referral is needed.
Create with Suvat Blue
Make videos, blogs, podcasts or photography for the youth-led platform and get your work in front of the community.
Work or lead
Summer jobs, advisory committee seats, and micro-grant rounds when they open.
Fund this work
Your gift funds prevention workshops, art therapy sessions, and micro-grants that let young people run their own projects.