Y Stories • YMCA Global Initatives
How to win allies and influence young people in your community: Trevor’s Y Story
21 November 2016 - by June Findlay
We’re celebrating Peace Week from November 19-26, and as part of the celebrations, we recognize the peacemakers creating change in their communities. Trevor, a bright young community leader and builder, demonstrates the values of advocacy and community by making the case for positive change in Toronto’s communities, while building and strengthening community connections and capacity to provide the necessary tools for youth leaders to do great work.
Trevor is a second-year student at the University of Western Ontario, pursuing a BA in Globalization Studies and Political Science. Though he’s still on his way to graduating, he is already putting his leadership skills to practice as a community builder with many organizations such as the YMCA of Greater Toronto, the Mississauga Youth Advisory Committee, the Ontario Student Trustee Association and the Peel District School Board. As the founder of the Regional Youth Roundtable (RYR), he has been able to bring youth leaders around Peel and York regions together, influencing them to create change, especially those leading and working with organizations serving LGBTQ2S youth , youth living with disabilities, and newcomer youth.
Youth leaders don’t have a lot of time; between school, maintaining a social life, and running an organization, it can be difficult to invest in their own grown. While leading the Mississauga Youth Advisory Committee, he was able to run various initiatives but never thought to collaborate with other groups and see how other youth leaders could learn from each other. This led to the creation of the RYR, which fosters collaboration between youth-led organizations. What began as a simple idea has expanded into an organization with a membership of 40 youth-led organizations, teaching more than 200 youth leaders various skills such as financial management, operations and marketing to have the tools necessary to lead their organizations to the best of their abilities. The RYR’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; they have secured $46,000 in funding from the Trillium Foundation and the Laidlaw Foundation to continue their community-building efforts. The RYR has also impacted communities across Canada, with youth-led groups from Vancouver and Ottawa reaching out for advice on how to better collaborate with other organizations.
With his great ideas and willingness to give back to the community, Trevor works hard towards creating a well-connected and engaged society.
You’re invited to join us in celebrating Trevor’s efforts at our Peace Medallion ceremony on November 22. For event details, and to learn more about Peace Week, click here.
Trevor is a second-year student at the University of Western Ontario, pursuing a BA in Globalization Studies and Political Science. Though he’s still on his way to graduating, he is already putting his leadership skills to practice as a community builder with many organizations such as the YMCA of Greater Toronto, the Mississauga Youth Advisory Committee, the Ontario Student Trustee Association and the Peel District School Board. As the founder of the Regional Youth Roundtable (RYR), he has been able to bring youth leaders around Peel and York regions together, influencing them to create change, especially those leading and working with organizations serving LGBTQ2S youth , youth living with disabilities, and newcomer youth.
Youth leaders don’t have a lot of time; between school, maintaining a social life, and running an organization, it can be difficult to invest in their own grown. While leading the Mississauga Youth Advisory Committee, he was able to run various initiatives but never thought to collaborate with other groups and see how other youth leaders could learn from each other. This led to the creation of the RYR, which fosters collaboration between youth-led organizations. What began as a simple idea has expanded into an organization with a membership of 40 youth-led organizations, teaching more than 200 youth leaders various skills such as financial management, operations and marketing to have the tools necessary to lead their organizations to the best of their abilities. The RYR’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; they have secured $46,000 in funding from the Trillium Foundation and the Laidlaw Foundation to continue their community-building efforts. The RYR has also impacted communities across Canada, with youth-led groups from Vancouver and Ottawa reaching out for advice on how to better collaborate with other organizations.
With his great ideas and willingness to give back to the community, Trevor works hard towards creating a well-connected and engaged society.
You’re invited to join us in celebrating Trevor’s efforts at our Peace Medallion ceremony on November 22. For event details, and to learn more about Peace Week, click here.
