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YouthSpeak - Empowering Youth through Personal Stories & Coping Strategies - Workshops and School Presentations Speakers

Find your Voice

20 years of engaging the power of stories for youth mental health.

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Speak. Inspire. Change.

For Youth By Youth

Promoting youth mental health and well-being to increase the resiliency of youth facing challenges. Through leadership, training, and sharing personal stories, YouthSpeak empowers youth to build resilience, hope, and coping strategies in challenging times such as now.

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OUR

Impact

2003-2023

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Students Reached
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Speaking events held
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Youth Leaders Trained
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Youth
Programs

Youth-led, interactive assemblies and workshops for primary grades to post-secondary.

Caring Adult
Workshops

Workshops for parents, educators and other caring adults on how to support youth.

Youth Training
& Employment

Employment opportunity for youth with lived experience related to mental health and other challenges.

Podcast, Videos
& Resources

Conversations with trained youth speakers and subject-matter experts on relevant topics for youth mental health & well-being.

Corporate
Workshops

Learning opportunity to improve Equity and Wellness strategies in the workplace.

Programs

Engage for Good.

Youth Mental Health; Inclusivity; Anti-Racism; Anti-Homophobia; Bullying Prevention; Substance Use/Cannabis Awareness; Online Overdrive; Empowering Minds; Empowering Young Women/Boys As Allies; Self-Care Toolkit; Public Speaking; Confident Me (Plan Canada)

Our Mission

To create important conversations promoting well-being, compassion and hope, by empowering youth to share personal stories and coping strategies through in-person and online presentations.

Our Vision

For all youth to be inspired and empowered to live resilient and meaningful lives.

Our Wellness Framework

Outcomes

  • Increase Self-Worth
  • Increase Empathy
  • Increase Resilience
  • Increase Awareness of Mental Health Resources

School Boards

  • York Region District School Board
  • Toronto District School Board
  • Simcoe County District School Board
  • York Catholic District School Board
  • Toronto Catholic District School Board
Book Youthspeak for your School, or Corporate event

Program Feedback

I think that it flowed perfectly. I loved the speakers! Loved the poll and breathing exercise- such a great tool for engagement in the presentation. I was really impressed!
Angela CasulloGSA Advisor, Thornlea Secondary School
I think that it flowed perfectly. I loved the speakers! Loved the poll and breathing exercise- such a great tool for engagement in the presentation. I was really impressed!
Angela CasulloGSA Advisor, Thornlea Secondary School
The presentations were excellent! The stories, information and manner was outstanding. Feedback from staff also supports my thoughts and feelings. The presenter stories were touching and powerful and memorable analogies used, leaving their mark motivating the audience to be active agents for change and for their own well-being! Thank you for inspiring us to stand up and speak out for justice, inclusion, and well-being!
Mary OppedisanoPrincipal, Johnsview Village PS
The youth speakers on Understanding Mental Health were so brave. They each had their own story to tell which is not easy to speak about their life struggles. There were a lot references and feedback on Mental Health given that tells us there is hope. On behalf of the Emily Carr School Council, thank you for a presentation well done.
Patricia DefrancoChair School Council, Emily Carr SS
Thank you so much for your support and help with our school's assembly today! We received so much positive feedback from students and teachers about the presentation, Sumaira and Adam were amazing and shared many valuable tools.
Michelle TirajoCo-chair of Leaside Mental Health & Wellness Committee, Leaside High School, Toronto
Belly breathing, Squishy Squeezy, Worry Leaves…thank you Asma and Alex the fantastic YouthSpeak workshop facilitators for helping our younger students and their families build their Self-Care Toolkits during our virtual workshop.
Wil KwonPrincipal, Our Lady of the Rosary
My company organized a webinar in celebration of Black History Month. The theme was Creating a More Inclusive Environment. I found the webinar to be really informative covering topics like microaggressions, intent v. impact, allyship and equity v. equality. The speakers shared personal stories, and I was very impressed with their candor. I’d like to thank YouthSpeak for devoting their time to provide the session. I learned a lot and am very grateful.
Jean HammellContent and Product Coordinator, LexisNexis Canada Inc.
Thank you so much Una for such a wonderful experience; it has been a true pleasure working with you. There have been nothing but positive responses from students and staff this morning after both presentations. I already have staff who are asking if I can order feelings wheels for their classrooms. Lolita and Shabnam were so professional, accommodating and certainly inspirational for our kids. I will certainly give amazing feedback to anyone else in our board who is wanting to book with your organization. Thanks again for what you do and for your team who make a true difference for youth.
Melodie-Anne MacDonaldOCT, Educator, Jean Augustine Secondary School
We found the presentation very meaningful and age-appropriate. We believe the stories provided were very relatable for the young girls which made them very effective. Some quotes from the girls after the workshops: “Feeling amazing”, “To be honest I feel great”, “Amazing”, “Happy”, “Good” and “Feeling loved”. Some of the key takeaways was boosting their confidence and mood. They were able to learn ways to love themselves and know how they are beautiful on the inside. Thank you for working with us to help these young girls, they really benefited and loved the workshop
Katy ForresterSelf-Esteem Coordinator, P.H.O.E.B.E. Centre, Suffolk United Kingdom
I just wanted to say thank you so very much for 2 incredibly informative presentations. We already received positive feedback from the teachers and the students really enjoyed them as well. Please send our appreciation to Alex and Sumaira...they were honest, engaging, and informative. Wonderful presentation and we thank you!!
Luisa Rocca Principal St. Jerome
Hearing another voice other than their teachers was very impactful and a great tool for teachers to anchor students back to. The resources shared will be helpful to give students visual reminders about strategies they can use or supports they can access. I’ve seen Youth Speak present in person and online. I felt that was extremely responsive to the current situation and to support student’s mental health. The resources shared pre- and post- presentation were excellent and easy to use. Keep doing what you’re doing and thank you for doing what you do
Kerry GrossingerPrincipal Regency Acres PS
The information shared in the presentation was very useful. It was extremely engaging for our clients, and I really appreciated how easy it was to follow along/understand given the age and needs of our clients. I think what the client’s enjoyed the most is being able to relate to the speakers stories, a lot of them shared similar experiences in the chat. The short breathing exercise we did as a group was also a nice and engaging activity for the youth.
Marisa SilvaSocial Worker, Employment Program & Services
Tyanna and Garrett's presentation was educational and insightful for us as facilitators and program participants. The structure of the presentation told through the storytelling narrative kept the workshop engaging and relatable. In addition, the activities invited program participants to pause and reflect on the topics of body image and peer pressure. We would recommend the Online Overdrive workshop to all students within after-school programs!
Jennifer TruongLead Facilitator, Get Moving! After-School Program (ASP)
We had the amazing facilitators with YouthSpeak presenting to our grade 1-3 students at Humbercrest this morning. The whole hour kept us active, engaged, and inspired. I loved it and I could see the gleeful and shining faces of my students throughout. With over 140 participants, it was a roaring success.
Jaya Karsemeyer BoneTeacher, Humbercrest PS
The Empowering Minds presentation was beautifully presented, with a clear structure and objective. The stories that the presenters shared were powerful and seemed to really resonate with the students. The room was silent when the stories were being shared! The students were raptured! I think there is such power in story and provides that little bit of extra weight to the strategies suggested because they have been tried and work. I think the presenters did an amazing job of pulling out the strategies they used and sharing them with the students.
Ashley PrinceRegistered Social Worker, Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
ust wanted to send a warm thank you to Lolita, Garrett and Emma for that excellent presentation, and to Una for organizing. We are so consistently happy with the presentations put on by Youthspeak - you are doing such great work and you are helping so many of our students!
Rachel WiseGuidance Department- Hudson College
I have had the privilege of working with YouthSpeak for many years and in many capacities. Most recently, I am a member of the Canadian Federation of University Women and I am the chair of a new initiative - GEN NEXT. With this role, we hope to engage younger women, 18+, who are looking to learn, lead and achieve. YouthSpeak’s presentation on “Mental Health and Empowering Young Women” proved to be completely aligned with the GEN NEXT vision. Young women speaking to other young women is nothing short of relatable, relevant, engaging and empowering! Thank you YouthSpeak!
Grace CantaruttiMember, CFUW
Members from the Youthspeak team spoke to our gr. 8 students in our Transition Program. Their presentation was well organized, thoughtful, and very informative. The students were engaged in online activities and heard heartfelt stories from the speakers. Thank you, Youthspeak for providing our students with strategies and tools to help with their mental health.
C. VitielloSt. Basil-the-Great College School
The presentation was excellent at providing our students an overview of Grade 9 and key strategies and advice that would be useful to any incoming Grade 9 student. The presenters were very welcoming and engaging. Our students listened attentively and had questions and positive comments that they were willing to share. The real-life stories that were shared by the speakers were so important for our students. Their messages of perseverance and determination resonated with our students and gave them hope for the future.
Lendyl D'SouzaHealth & Wellness Lead Teacher, Notre Dame HS, Toronto
Thank you for sending us Lolita, Angelica, and Pratheep. Their message was powerful and their information and tips were very helpful. The students had wonderful feedback.
Valerio SorginiDepartment Head, Library Learning Commons, Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy
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Events

Life-changing
events.

Dec
11
Training, IN-PERSON at YS Office, Alness St location
December 11
Dec
11
Team Training
December 11
Dec
11
Holy Cross CA, Woodbridge
December 11
Dec
12
Morning Glory PS (Woodbine Ave, Pefferlaw)
December 12
Dec
13
JVS Toronto, Toronto
December 13

Blogs & Resources

Snaptique Photo Booth at YouthSpeak’s 20th Year Gala

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How Let’s Roam Gets Youth to Spend Time Outdoors

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Gamings Effects on Mental Health: How it Helps, How it Harms, and How to Find Balance

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South Asian Mental Health as Told by a South Asian Therapist

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Real People.
Real Talk.

One-on-one open and vulnerable conversations with youth, caring adults and mental health professionals for insight into youth mental health to help youth find their voice.

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Contact Information

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity
 
YouthSpeak acknowledges the importance of creating spaces that affirm the lived experience and identities of people impacted by all forms of oppression. We understand the impact that oppression has on the everyday lives of Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, Women and 2SLGBTQIA+ and Neurodivergent populations. We aim to create a safer space for students to learn with us. In order to achieve this goal, we are committed to delivering presentations from an equitable and anti-oppressive lens. We will continue to reflect on what this means.
 
 
 
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Contact

7250 Keele Street. 2nd Floor
Concord  ON  L4K 1Z8

Phone: 905-967-0604 

Email: office@youthspeak.ca

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