Taking action to action youth ideas for change through the Youth Impact Project
One of the ways the Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region (CYPT) is taking action to action youth ideas for change is through the Youth Impact Project.
In 2024, the CYPT and Smart Waterloo Region (SWR) gave out $70,000 to youth who pitched ideas for change in our communities based on the Youth Impact Survey data. A panel of nine youth assessed the pitches and decided which youth ideas would receive funding. 12 youth projects received funding from the CYPT and SWR, but Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) awarded funding to an additional group, meaning that a total of 13 projects became a reality.
Group name: Dream Builders
Associated with: YMCA of Three Rivers
Project: Building a youth group
The Dream Builders group was made up of three girls from the YMCA of Three Rivers Newcomer Youth Group. At the Youth Impact Project Pitch Party in June 2024, they pitched the idea of hosting monthly workshops that help youth disconnect from their phones, address harmful social media relationships, foster connections, and encourage self-discovery. At the end of the year, they hoped to have a picnic gathering. They asked for funding to engage 180 youth (60 from three schools) in their monthly workshops and the year-end picnic.
Dream Builders group celebrating at the Youth Impact Project Pitch Party
There was no group that showed more growth and development through the process of pitching their idea then the Dream Builders. As a group of mainly newcomer young women trying to perfect a 3 minute pitch, this is no easy task.
Although they weren't funded by the Dragon youth, the effort and passion of these young women was more then evident in their passion for the project. WRCF saw that passion and had us reach out to the group to let them know they saw their vision and passion and wanted to invest. When the team found out that WRCF believed in their idea and wanted to help them, the girls were over the moon with excitement.
I am so glad WRCF was their to help this group of young women to see that the community is listening and their voices no matter how new to the country, we brilliant and deserved to be heard.
— Jahmeeks Beckford, Play Lead, Smart Waterloo Region
