Youth Civic Engagement Alliance (YCEA) is a leadership training project which aims to promote a strong sense of Canadian identity, citizenship and national cohesion by providing immigrant youth with leadership skills, service learning and cross-cultural bridging opportunities.

The “Youth Civic Engagement Alliance” project supports immigrant youth between the ages of 16-30 years from newly arrived communities to develop skills for leadership and an increased understanding of their roles and responsibilities as Canadian citizens through leadership training, service learning, volunteering, unpaid internships and business training opportunities. The youth will be mentored by members from socially and economically well-established communities. The project impacts other youth from diverse communities in Greater Edmonton area through knowledge sharing forums collaborative Summer of Service projects, recreational championships and other cross-cultural bridging activities facilitated by the youth. The major partners for YCEA project include well established communities, ethno-cultural communities, non-profit organizations, schools, public library and businesses within the community.

YCEA PROJECT OBJECTIVES

• To develop leadership capacity and cross-cultural bridging opportunities for immigrant youth through its various activities which include mentorship, leadership/ business skills development, volunteering, knowledge sharing forums, collaborative summer of service initiatives and recreational championships.
• To foster citizenship, promote civic pride and core democratic values and equally promote sense of belonging, inclusion, and legitimacy through leadership training and educational workshops on rights and responsibilities of young people as Canadian citizens.

YCEA PROJECT COMPONENTS:

ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING

Youth are matched up with adult mentors from well integrated Canadian communities who support the youth with social, cultural, educational and advocacy needs. YCEA believes that building bridges among immigrant youth and adults mentors from diverse backgrounds encourages intercultural exchange and
promotes cross-cultural understanding. This component of the program requires the contributions of individuals who play a significant role in the youth’s lives by building caring relationships.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Youth leadership training will include information sessions/workshops on the following topics:

• Canadian Identity/ Civic Education
• Multiculturalism and Immigration
• Roles and Responsibilities of Canadian Citizens
• Human Rights
• Conflict Resolution
• Health and wellness
• Arts and Media
• Interpersonal and Intercultural skills development

This leadership training fosters citizenship, civic pride and a respect for core democratic values grounded in our shared Canadian history; and promotes a sense of belonging, sense of ownership, inclusion, legitimacy and pride among immigrant youth by helping them understand their rights and
responsibilities as Canadian citizens. The sessions help youth increase their English language proficiency, presentation skills, team work skills and helps develop confidence, responsibility, flexibility and independence among youth.

SERVICE LEARNING

Youth volunteer in community projects of their choice which is critical for their individual service learning development and civic engagement. Youth will volunteer in non-profit organizations, schools, faith organizations and in their community. Youth will have an opportunity to collaborate in
service initiatives by forming constructive partnerships with other youth and be engaged with their community through knowledge sharing forums.

BUSINESS / ENTREPRENUEL TRAINING

The training provides immigrant youth with knowledge and skills about entrepreneurship and business. After the training youth will have opportunities to participate in unpaid internships and have practical experience in managing a business. The experience will help them make informed decisions about
starting their own business.

RECREATIONAL

Youth participate in recreational activities that promote leadership, team work, interpersonal and intercultural communication, health and wellness. Recreational opportunities in the form of youth championships will be planned and implemented by the youth to help reach out to and engage with other
diverse communities.