How the YMCA Black Achievers Mentorship Program supports youth

07 August 2025 - by YMCA of Greater Toronto

Participant Story: Onyinyechukwu Zimra Obimdike

Onyinyechukwu Zimra Obimdike joined the YMCA Black Achievers Mentorship Program in 2024, one year after moving to Canada from Nigeria. She was 17 years old and looking for connection and support.

“I didn’t have any close friends or extended family here, and I just wanted to find people who were like me and who I could relate to,” Onyinyechukwu says.

She was introduced to the program through a school visit by a YMCA facilitator. From there, she participated in a wide range of program activities — joining a leadership group, participating in debate and public speaking competitions, and helping organize a clothing drive.

Along the way, Onyinyechukwu found her voice. “I signed up for anything and everything,” she says. “I discovered that I actually enjoy public speaking, which I never expected. I also found a community, made some of my closest friends, and got support for university applications and job searches.”

In September 2025, Onyinyechukwu will begin her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, with plans to become a human rights lawyer. She credits the Black Achievers program with helping her develop confidence, direction, and meaningful relationships.

About the Black Achievers Mentorship Program

The Black Achievers program supports Black youth in high school as they navigate academic, career, and personal development goals. Youth are matched with Black mentors and work with dedicated program facilitators and case managers.

The program takes place throughout the school year and is structured around weekly sessions that include:

Career and post-secondary planning
Personal development and leadership training
Volunteer and community involvement opportunities
Skill-building activities such as resume workshops and interview prep
Access to mentorship, scholarships, and university tours

Each site adapts its activities to the interests and goals of the participants while offering consistent support from trusted adults.

Mentorship and Support

Mentors play a central role in each youth’s journey, offering guidance through personal stories, career insights, and lived experience. They help mentees navigate high school, set goals, and explore future pathways — not by delivering services, but by serving as relatable role models and trusted sounding boards.

Mentors also support youth in managing school-related challenges by offering encouragement, sharing study tips, or helping them stay motivated and organized with homework and assignments.

Ultimately, mentors work to build confidence, highlight strengths, and encourage youth to try new things as they prepare for their futures.

The Black Achievers program is designed to support long-term outcomes in education, employment, and civic engagement. Past participants have gone on to study at universities across Ontario, join youth councils, launch non-profit initiatives, and return to the program as mentors.

Through hands-on experiences, skill development, and consistent support, Black Achievers provides a strong foundation for Black youth to pursue their goals, no matter where they start.