Toronto, ON (October 29, 2024) – WoodGreen Community Services, MLSE Launchpad, and Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, are excited to announce the upcoming inaugural Youth Success Conference Mino Bimaadziwin (translated to the Good Life) on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 from 9 am to 3 pm.
This one-day event will gather 150 high school students (grades 11 and 12) and young adults to explore alternative career paths and strategies for success in a rapidly changing world.
The conference will take place at the MLSE Launchpad, where youth will engage with inspiring speakers, participate in interactive workshops, and access wellness activities designed to support their resilience and well-being. The event will also include a community resource fair, offering connections to local social service agencies and educational institutions.
Key Highlights:
- Audience: Grade 11 and 12 students, and young adults who may identify from marginalized communities.
- Focus: Empowering youth by exposing them to diverse professional networks, career options, and strategies for overcoming systemic barriers.
- Activities: Career skill-building workshops, wellness sessions, inspiring stories from industry professionals, games, prizes, and a community resource fair
The youth success conference will expose participants to a variety of tools to navigate their future, stories to inspire their imagination and activities to uncover their innate strengths; building self-confidence and self-advocacy skills for long-term success. The conference will begin with a traditional opening led by Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, who will also highlight the Anishnaabe concept of Mino-Bimaadiziwin or “the good life”, which refers to balance of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self. Addressing the systemic challenges that many youth face in today’s economy, participants will leave with a renewed sense of direction, confidence, and valuable connections within their communities and the workforce.
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Quotes:
“We are thrilled to launch the inaugural Youth Success Conference to not only help youth explore career options but also build the resilience needed to thrive in the face of adversity.” - Vanessa Wu, Manager - Youth Wellness, WoodGreen Community Services.
“MLSE LaunchPad is proud to host the first ever Youth Success Conference and work with WoodGreen Community Services and Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre to provide impactful programming to prepare youth for the future.” - Lisa Wiele, Managing Director, MLSE LaunchPad.
“Being a part of this gathering is an investment for the positive growth and development of our collective youth, preparing them to assume their rightful place as future leaders. A core component of our mission statement is to invest positively in our youth and this conference allowed us to do so with like-minded partners.” – Theo Nazary, Associate Director, Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre.
About WoodGreen Community Services (woodgreen.org): WoodGreen is one of the largest social service agencies in Toronto, serving more than 37,000 people annually. We offer over 75 programs and services that address the social determinants affecting the health and well-being of individuals in our community. WoodGreen offers social, recreational and mental health services designed by and for young people. We provide youth with the support to find housing, financial counselling, wellness programs, education and employment opportunities.
About MLSE LaunchPad (mlselaunchpad.org): MLSE LaunchPad is a 42,000 square foot Sport For Development facility, supported by MLSE’s professional sports teams - the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and Toronto Argonauts. We provide free sport, life skills and employment training programs for youth aged 6-29. The facility partners with expert organizations to deliver programming that support their four pillars: Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Ready For School and Ready For Work.
About Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre (councilfire.ca) Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre is an autonomous, vibrant cultural agency that involves and serves the Indigenous community with confidence for and commitment to their well-being. We provide counseling, material assistance, and other direct services to First Nations people as well as to encourage and enhance spiritual and personal growth.
To attend the event or for interview opportunities, please contact:
Media Contact: Jon Reed, Sr. Manager, Marketing and Communications, WoodGreen Community Services
[email protected]
437-226-8091
Photos can be provided after the event upon request