Youth Programs

Uzima Women Relief Group International continues to deliver a wide range of youth-focused workshops to support safety, wellness, leadership, and career development. Many of these workshops run as ongoing series beginning in 2024, with continued sessions throughout 2025.
Below, we have organized all events into clear program categories for easy reference.

Youth Violence & Human Trafficking Prevention Program

Empowering Youth Through Digital Media | January 1, 2021 – Ongoing

Suvat Blue: A Youth-Led Digital Platform for Change

Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, this youth-centered initiative aims to prevent violence and human trafficking through education, empowerment, and creative expression. Launched in the summer of 2021, the program brings together youth and adults from diverse backgrounds to engage in a series of interactive workshops covering key social issues.

One of the program’s key outcomes is the creation of Suvat Blue, a digital platform developed by participating youth. The name “Suvat” is derived from survivors and anti-trafficking, reflecting the project’s core mission. Suvat Blue connects young people as peer resources and fosters collaboration through media.

The initiative is building a long-term digital media library, featuring videos, photography, blogs, and a podcast—all produced by the youth. A dedicated website and branded social media platforms support this mission, creating a vibrant online presence.

Since March 2022, focus groups with Black youth have been conducted, and many have shared their experiences through on-camera interviews, which will be part of the evolving media library. Keep an eye out for their powerful stories.

Human Trafficking Prevention Series

An ongoing educational series that began in 2024, focused on youth safety, prevention, awareness, and understanding the risks of human trafficking. Workshops are delivered in partnership with community organizations and continue throughout 2025.

Substance Use, Harm Reduction & Mental Health Series

A continued workshop series running since 2024, supporting youth with tools to understand substance use, strengthen mental wellness, and practice harm reduction. Sessions include both virtual and in-person components.

Career & Skill-Building Workshops

Ongoing youth development workshops that help participants build confidence, explore career paths, and gain practical skills such as public speaking and childcare experience. These sessions have been offered regularly throughout 2024–2025.

Canada Service Corps Micro-Grants: Black Youth Empowerment for Community Development

Empowering Black Youth to Build Leadership, Resilience, and Community Connections

The Canada Service Corps (BYETCOM) initiative, running from April 2023 to March 2024, is dedicated to empowering 100 Black youth, ages 15–30, by providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. Through engaging in pro-social activities, participants will develop leadership skills, expand their networks, and gain valuable life skills. The program offers up to $5,000 in funding for short-term service projects that strengthen youth resilience and contribute to community development. Keep an eye on our blog for updates on the inspiring projects led by these young changemakers!

CANADA SUMMER JOBS June to August 2023

Uzima has been involved with hiring youth from Toronto and the GTA during the summer. They engage in all the programs running in the organization. In turn, they develop their academic and employment skills.

F.U.N PROGRAM

Training sessions to empower youth with skills in digital marketing, web development, and employment skills.

Professional mentors highlight the importance of documentation and communication between product marketers and product developers to better advance business and serve the target audience. The youth learned the principles for User Experience Designers, which are, to design for your users and not for yourself.

Also, the importance of copywriting for a business and its audience, branding and tone of voice, journey maps, which are activities that serve to better understand one’s audience, and opportunities through the users’ emotions.

The interview and resume skills presentation was about various topics, such as how to make a positive impression and sell yourself. The youth staff who participated in this program have continued to successfully grow their careers with other companies and organizations.

ENDED PROJECT

KINDRED PROJECT | August 2022 – July 2023
Empowering Black Youth Through Mental Health Support

The Kindred Project was dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of Black youth communities. Running from August 2022 to July 2023, the initiative offered a variety of opportunities, including workshops, mentorship programs, leadership development, and pro-social activities.

A core feature of the project was the formation of an advisory committee made up of selected Black youth, who played a vital role in leading and executing all project-related activities. At Uzima, youth advocates actively championed mental health awareness throughout the project’s duration.

Workshops and multimedia content were central tools used across the organization to educate and engage the community. Notably, the youth staff at Uzima led the development and management of the organization’s mental health social media campaigns, ensuring authentic and youth-driven communication.

OUR MISSION

Uzima Women Relief Group International provides care and support to families affected by the effects of war and disease domestically and internationally to contribute to the global efforts to relieve poverty and improve women’s health and education.

OUR VISION

We envision a world where women understand their rights and have access to quality health, education, and economic stability.

OBJECTIVES

To advance education and relieve poverty of Black (racialized) community members in the Toronto area by providing employment-related workshops and training on resume writing, job interview preparation, job skills training, mentoring programs, and job placement assistance.

To relieve poverty and advance education by providing training in agricultural and farming techniques, and kitchen garden training to poor women in Kenya.