Invest in our Children

Contemporary Batik Art (CBA)

One Vision, Many Voices

By using art as a therapy, we will give our youth in marginalized and vulnerable communities an outlet to transition their minds from their current situation to something creative. We will foster a learning experience for both the trainers that will be facilitating the workshops and the kids participating in it, by working with the youth to create individual works of Batik Art.

CBA will also promote youth and community inclusiveness and diversity, as the trainers are individuals from many cultures, ethnicities, and religious backgrounds; they have come together to create a pleasant and working art community.

The Internship Program (TIP)

Interns from post-secondary institutes and COOP students from High Schools will have the opportunity to work in areas such as:  Marketing, Media Relations, Social Media, Research, Entertainment, Event Management, General Administration, etc with various entities within GMEAN’s organization.  Students will also have the opportunity to intern with GMEAN’s collaborating partners.

Mentorship

Youth In Focus offers children and youth that have already been identified as marginalized and vulnerable, an opportunity to work with a caring mentor to improve their ability to develop a positive
attitude towards their future. Mentors and Mentees will participate in weekly planned activities to strengthen the relationship between the two and improve the young person’s confidence and hopefulness.

The goal of the program is to identify youth who are going to have a turbulent transition to adulthood and offer a positive support system, to avoid the pitfalls that can derail their lives. The focus is slightly different at each level, but the goal remains the same to empower these children and youth to make positive changes in their lives.

In addition, YIF will offer Peer to Peer Mentorship, where youth 16 and over will offer mentorship to their younger counterparts. Mentors will undergo a dual screening process which includes an up-to date
Police Background Check and personal and/or business references.

Youth in Media

GMEAN is aware that social media and technology is second nature to children today, this is true for children as young as 4 years old. Take into consideration: Ryan of “Ryan’s World and other young you-tubers.”

We will piggy-back on the overwhelming interest in social media and other technology that are inundating the lives of our youth. The program will partner with local, national, and international media organizations and filmmakers to promote YIF and talented youth in local communities. A heavy focus will be placed on the visible minority youth, including our disabled community.

PrepYouth Now

It is imperative that our youth be well prepared for life – both during their school years and for
life after school. Timing is essential as youth are more adaptable and opened when they are
very young.

Our program will have seven components to it. We are concentrating on:

We believe we can use these tools to really
prepare our youth for adulthood.

Martha Banda-Nganga

Director