Eritrean Youth Collective

Need an edge for your resume? Looking for summer jobs? Currently in or just graduated from post-secondary? We have some great tools and tips for you! EYC is holding a Resume-Building Workshop this Saturday at 703 Bloor St. W, Floor 2.

1-2pm: Geared towards high school students

2-3pm: Geared towards post-secondary students and recent graduates

TTC tokens will be provided. 

Contact us for more info: eritreanyouth@gmail.com or 647-741-0235.

Check out EYC’s latest feature in the Huffington Post : Young People Making Waves in Toronto !! A special thank you to Samuel Getachew​​!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/samuel-getachew/toronto-youth-group-_b_3089122.html

Juwaher Yusuf is a noted activist and operations manager with one of Toronto’s leading grassroots organizations, The Eritrean Youth Collective. EYC is an ambitious youth led organization that is having such a profound impact in Toronto’s diverse (Eritrean) Canadian communities. Yusuf reflects on the history and the future of the great Toronto organization.
Tell me about the Eritrean Youth Collective
The Eritrean Youth Collective [Formerly Coalition] (EYC) came into existence in 2006 after participating in a United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE) initiative whereby a number of diaspora communities (Afghan, Colombian, Haitian, Eritrean, Ethiopian and Jamaican) were requested to produce community-based research on their diaspora communities in Toronto.
EYC’s founding members worked on that initiative and realized the need for safe, neutral space for youth to gather, share ideas and work together for the betterment of our community. Through that experience, the decision was made to become an organization. After that project, funding was sought from the City of Toronto’s Access, Equity & Human Rights (AEHR) grant for our first project called Through Engagement Sustaining Future Achievement (T.E.S.F.A, which means “hope” in Tigrinya.)
We increasingly recognized, however, that there was a need to provide consistent and reliable programming for youth to have real impact. So after a few more projects in 2007- 2011 (Hibret, which engaged the community in a series of monthly dialogues related to various themes and Menfes, which sought to engage youth in mixed-media art forms to tell stories of migration, tradition reclaiming our oral histories, a youth summer camp, etc.), the EYC steering committee successfully applied for the Access to Mentorship Program as implemented by For Youth Initiative (FYI), funded by Youth Challenge Fund.
What are some of the objectives of the group?
Our main objective is to provide all Eritrean youth with innovative and meaningful learning opportunities. We strive to promote civic engagement and leadership development so that youth better understand their communities and how they can play a role in influencing decisions that affect them. Being a youth-led organization, one of our founding principles was to build youth capacity by enabling them to participate in EYC in whatever way they see themselves fitting in.
What are some of the current projects that EYC is busy implementing?
EYC is currently running three projects; Eritreans Learning and Empowering Leaders (ELEL), an inter-generational project that engages Eritrean youth and parents in educational attainment programs and leadership workshops supported by the Laidlaw Foundation and the City of Toronto; Sharing Experiences and Motivating Artistic Youth (SEMAY) acts as a space for youth to learn, increase confidence and share their stories and passion through film while addressing the social issues they face daily in Toronto, supported by ArtReach Toronto; the Anthology, a published collection of artistic creativity by Eritrean youth in Toronto, supported by the Laidlaw Foundation.
EYC has been able to create employment opportunities for youth in our community currently staffing five people on a full and part-time basis. We are also engaging the broader community by building our board membership and have recently obtained our not-for-profit status. Our website has also recently been launched and has been extremely well received by our community (www.eritreanyouthcollective.com).
What are some of the challenges of Eritrean-Canadian youth in Toronto?
The challenges are similar to those experienced by many youth from newcomer communities. Youth are navigating dual cultures, which are sometimes diametrically opposed. This means that there is a tension between their personal, community and family expectations. There is a need for neutral community spaces where youth can convene to talk about issues that affect their lives such as education, employment, career navigation, identity and health.
The broader context of socioeconomic issues impacting Eritrean families weighs heavily on our youth. Most families are first-generation Canadian; and thus, are newly engaging in Canadian systems and institutions (education, health, politics, etc.) which means that youth are likely leaders in making choices for their own lives and are directly supporting the development and trajectory of their families life changes here in Canada. We want to be able to help youth address these issues and equip them with the tools to be successful. We also just want to be a space for creative people to get together and explore their passions in a non-threatening, fun environment!
I am aware of some of the social events the group has hosted in the past. Why are these events important?
These are extremely important. Living in a busy urban life, with the demands of school, work and family, many of our youth constantly tell us that they miss being around each other in a relaxed atmosphere. They love coming to events, collaborating, sharing ideas, having in-depth discussions and just getting to know each other. EYC is carving out a space for these exchanges to happen. It is a space for youth to connect with each other and to build support networks, give each other morale and ultimately play a role in each others growth. It’s essential for cultural preservation, knowledge sharing and building community that youth have a space where they feel comfortable to fully express their Canadian and Eritrean identities.
Where would you want to see EYC in five years?
In five years, we hope to have a viable and sustainable organization that provides employment and internship opportunities for youth - being a trusted resource for both first generation and newcomer youth. We’d like to continue working with other youth-led partners and organizations to be advocates for increased opportunities not only for Eritrean youth but African-Canadian youth at large. In five years we look forward to continue sharing our rich history and culture and how we experience these in Canada with all Canadians — all from a youth perspective.

Selam family! 

EYC s on the search for a hard working individual, ready for the challenge of learning and working with a growing organization. We’re looking for vibrant person to carry out our long standing commitment to be a resource for Eritrean youth. We are hiring a Project Coordinator to support our latest educationally based project - Eritreans Learning and Empowering Leaders.

Details of the posting can be found in the e-mail below as well as in an attachment. **The deadline has been extended to: Monday, Jan.14 at 5:00pm.**

Thank you in advance for sharing it with your networks.

EYC is on the search for a hard working individual, ready for the challenge of learning and working with a growing organization. We’re looking for vibrant person to carry out our long standing commitment to be a resource for Eritrean youth. If this describes you, please apply.

Job Description

POSITION: Education & Leadership Project Coordinator
EMPLOYMENT PERIOD: 1 year (contract) 
REPORTS TO: Operations Manager
TIME COMMITMENT: Part Time - 18 hours/week
WAGES: $17.50 per hour 
START DATE: Feb. 4, 2013

About EYC:

Founded in 2006, the Eritrean Youth Collective (EYC) serves to create opportunities for Eritrean youth building their skills and networks. Our vision is to be a resource for youth while providing increased communication and collaboration among various like-minded organizations in Toronto with the aim of facilitating dialogue around pertinent issues affecting youth today, and creating accessible opportunities to support their goals.

The Eritreans Learning and Empowering Leaders (E.L.E.L) is an intergenerational project that engages Eritrean youth and parents in educational attainment programs and workshops. The Project Coordinator will support the development of culturally based resources, training for parents to be informed advocates for their children’s education, and establish an Eritrean Educators Network (EEN). In addition, the Project Coordinator will launch our latest leadership training program. The Leadership program seeks to provide youth with trainings in transferable life skills that will enable them to actively participate and excel in their communities (10 workshops across the span of 8 months) culminating in a overnight retreat for 25-30 youth.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage and coordinate project to ensure all activities are linked to mission, vision and values of EYC
• Design and create implementation process for the project: schedule and plan workshops, develop tools, invite speakers and facilitate focus groups
• Maintain project accounts and reporting deadlines, and update budgets as needed to Operations Manager
• Develop process to select program participants and actively outreach to skilled mentors, facilitators, experts and community leaders
• Develop and implement a documentation and evaluation process for the program
• Engage with youth and parents in various community spaces
• Build and identify opportunities for collaborations and partnerships with organizations and businesses
• Coordinate an educational forum and develop a resource toolkit
• Establish and engage a working group to support educational resources (EEN)
• Coordinate translations of resource materials in Tigrinya
• Actively participate in promoting this project on social networking websites and using other creative strategies
• Perform other duties and/or EYC related functions as necessary
  
  

Qualifications:

·         Post-secondary education (College/University) in related fields, education, social sciences. Extensive experience with project coordination will be considered

·         Progressive experience working and volunteering in the social services

·         Knowledge of educational resource tools and existing educational support services

·         Demonstrated knowledge of Eritrean-Canadian culture and community, and a commitment to supporting Eritrean youth in GTA

·         Ability to work with youth with various capacities to engage in project and organizational work

·         Excellent oral and written communication, consultation and presentation skills to establish credible working partnerships with internal groups and external agencies

·         Demonstrated experience leading projects/initiatives and excellent time management skills

·         Excellent organizational skills and able to meet strict timelines and budgetary restrictions

·         Proficiency in computer applications including MS Word, Excel, Power Point, web-based tools and social media

The ideal candidate will have the following qualities:

·         Passionate about youth, and their limitless potential

·         Excellent work ethic

·         Thrives working in a team as well as independently

·         Positive nature, enthusiastic and driven

·         Flexible with change in a working environment

·         Highly creative and resourceful

Hours of Work: EYC regular hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and required to work evenings and weekends.

EYC is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please submit a resume and cover letter by Monday, January 14, 2013 (*Extended) no later than 5p.m. to eyc.jobs@gmail.com with “Education & Leadership Project Coordinator” in the Subject field.

Applications for nominations for the 2013 ARONI Education Grant and Image award are open! Forms & info can be found @ http://www.aroniawards.com/nominate.html
‘TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE’

ARONIAWARDS NOMINATION CO-ORDINATOR
http://www.aroniawards.com/

mailto:info@aroniawards.com

Job Description

POSITION: Education & Leadership Project Coordinator
EMPLOYMENT PERIOD: 1 year (contract)
REPORTS TO: Operations Manager
TIME COMMITMENT: Part Time - 18 hours/week
WAGES: $17.50 per hour
START DATE: Feb. 4, 2013

About EYC:

Founded in 2006, the Eritrean Youth Collective (EYC) serves to create opportunities for Eritrean youth building their skills and networks. Our vision is to be a resource for youth while providing increased communication and collaboration among various like-minded organizations in Toronto with the aim of facilitating dialogue around pertinent issues affecting youth today, and creating accessible opportunities to support their goals.

The Eritreans Learning and Empowering Leaders (E.L.E.L) is an intergenerational project that engages Eritrean youth and parents in educational attainment programs and workshops. The Project Coordinator will support the development of culturally based resources, training for parents to be informed advocates for their children’s education, and establish an Eritrean Educators Network (EEN). In addition, the Project Coordinator will launch our latest leadership training program. The Leadership program seeks to provide youth with trainings in transferable life skills that will enable them to actively participate and excel in their communities (10 workshops across the span of 8 months) culminating in a overnight retreat for 25-30 youth.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage and coordinate project to ensure all activities are linked to mission, vision and values of EYC
• Design and create implementation process for the project: schedule and plan workshops, develop tools, invite speakers and facilitate focus groups
• Maintain project accounts and reporting deadlines, and update budgets as needed to Operations Manager
• Develop process to select program participants and actively outreach to skilled mentors, facilitators, experts and community leaders
• Develop and implement a documentation and evaluation process for the program
• Engage with youth and parents in various community spaces
• Build and identify opportunities for collaborations and partnerships with organizations and businesses
• Coordinate an educational forum and develop a resource toolkit
• Establish and engage a working group to support educational resources (EEN)
• Coordinate translations of resource materials in Tigrinya
• Actively participate in promoting this project on social networking websites and using other creative strategies
• Perform other duties and/or EYC related functions as necessary

Qualifications:

-Post-secondary education (College/University) in related fields, education, social sciences. Extensive experience with project coordination will be considered

-Progressive experience working and volunteering in the social services

-Knowledge of educational resource tools and existing educational support services

-Demonstrated knowledge of Eritrean-Canadian culture and community, and a commitment to supporting Eritrean youth in GTA

-Ability to work with youth with various capacities to engage in project and organizational work

-Excellent oral and written communication, consultation and presentation skills to establish credible working partnerships with internal groups and external agencies

-Demonstrated experience leading projects/initiatives and excellent time management skills

-Excellent organizational skills and able to meet strict timelines and budgetary restrictions

-Proficiency in computer applications including MS Word, Excel, Power Point, web-based tools and social media

The ideal candidate will have the following qualities:

-Passionate about youth, and their limitless potential

-Excellent work ethic

-Thrives working in a team as well as independently

-Positive nature, enthusiastic and driven

-Flexible with change in a working environment

-Highly creative and resourceful

Hours of Work: EYC regular hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and required to work evenings and weekends.

EYC is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please submit a resume and cover letter by Wednesday, January 9, 2013 no later than 5p.m. toeyc.jobs@gmail.com with “Education & Leadership Project Coordinator” in the Subject field.

Light / ብርሃን / نور …

It is quite common for Eritreans to have names relating to the concept of light such as Berhan(e)(u), Bana, Nour(a) etc… Culturally, “light” serves not only as a symbol of the prospect of peace, happiness, and prosperity but also as a property that distinguishes Eritreans as a people even while livening in the Diaspora. Light is also symbolic of continuity for Eritreans as we continue our struggle through successive generations.  As such, we find it important to continue this tradition of exploring the Eritrean-American consciousness through Winter Storm by exploring this duality of light and focusing on elements that distinguish Eritrean-Americans yet allow us to live in harmony and solidarity within our communities.

Job Description

POSITION: Education & Leadership Project Coordinator
EMPLOYMENT PERIOD: 1 year (contract)
REPORTS TO: Operations Manager
TIME COMMITMENT: Part Time - 18 hours/week
WAGES: $17.50 per hour
START DATE: Feb. 4, 2013

About EYC:

Founded in 2006, the Eritrean Youth Collective (EYC) serves to create opportunities for Eritrean youth building their skills and networks. Our vision is to be a resource for youth while providing increased communication and collaboration among various like-minded organizations in Toronto with the aim of facilitating dialogue around pertinent issues affecting youth today, and creating accessible opportunities to support their goals.

The Eritreans Learning and Empowering Leaders (E.L.E.L) is an intergenerational project that engages Eritrean youth and parents in educational attainment programs and workshops. The Project Coordinator will support the development of culturally based resources, training for parents to be informed advocates for their children’s education, and establish an Eritrean Educators Network (EEN). In addition, the Project Coordinator will launch our latest leadership training program. The Leadership program seeks to provide youth with trainings in transferable life skills that will enable them to actively participate and excel in their communities (10 workshops across the span of 8 months) culminating in a overnight retreat for 25-30 youth.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage and coordinate project to ensure all activities are linked to mission, vision and values of EYC
• Design and create implementation process for the project: schedule and plan workshops, develop tools, invite speakers and facilitate focus groups
• Maintain project accounts and reporting deadlines, and update budgets as needed to Operations Manager
• Develop process to select program participants and actively outreach to skilled mentors, facilitators, experts and community leaders
• Develop and implement a documentation and evaluation process for the program
• Engage with youth and parents in various community spaces
• Build and identify opportunities for collaborations and partnerships with organizations and businesses
• Coordinate an educational forum and develop a resource toolkit
• Establish and engage a working group to support educational resources (EEN)
• Coordinate translations of resource materials in Tigrinya
• Actively participate in promoting this project on social networking websites and using other creative strategies
• Perform other duties and/or EYC related functions as necessary
  

Qualifications:

-Post-secondary education (College/University) in related fields, education, social sciences. Extensive experience with project coordination will be considered

-Progressive experience working and volunteering in the social services

-Knowledge of educational resource tools and existing educational support services

-Demonstrated knowledge of Eritrean-Canadian culture and community, and a commitment to supporting Eritrean youth in GTA

-Ability to work with youth with various capacities to engage in project and organizational work

-Excellent oral and written communication, consultation and presentation skills to establish credible working partnerships with internal groups and external agencies

-Demonstrated experience leading projects/initiatives and excellent time management skills

-Excellent organizational skills and able to meet strict timelines and budgetary restrictions

-Proficiency in computer applications including MS Word, Excel, Power Point, web-based tools and social media

The ideal candidate will have the following qualities:

-Passionate about youth, and their limitless potential

-Excellent work ethic

-Thrives working in a team as well as independently

-Positive nature, enthusiastic and driven

-Flexible with change in a working environment

-Highly creative and resourceful

Hours of Work: EYC regular hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and required to work evenings and weekends.

EYC is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please submit a resume and cover letter by Monday, January 9, 2013 no later than 5p.m. toeyc.jobs@gmail.com with “Education & Leadership Project Coordinator” in the Subject field.

Check this out: SpeakSudan would like to remind everyone that their submission deadline is less than two weeks away (DECEMBER 30TH) Please submit your creative content to be part of the first issue of our magazine, complete submission guidelines can be found at :

http://www.speaksudan.org/submission-guidelines

Performers interested in participating in our launch on March 30th, should apply at www.speaksudan.org/perform 

News Release

December 6, 2012

The City of Toronto’s website has a new online locator to help parents
and guardians of children from 6 to 12 years of age find before-school
and after-school programs in Toronto. This new resource marks the first
phase of the City of Toronto’s Middle Childhood Strategy.

The locator can be found at
http://www.toronto.ca/children/middlechildhood_map.htm.

The locator is designed to search for locations for licensed school-age
child care programs, full-day kindergarten before and after school
programs, and after school recreation care (ARC) programs. The locator
will continually be expanded to search for more categories.

“According to the latest census, there are almost 180,000 children aged
6 to 12 in Toronto,” said Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 25 Don Valley
West), Chair of the Community Development and Recreation Committee.
“Parents and caregivers with children in this age group can now rely on
an easy-to-use online locator to find programs in their area that suit
their needs.”

The City of Toronto’s Middle Childhood Strategy aims to achieve five
goals:
* develop a comprehensive and integrated system of services for children
6 to 12
* improve the planning and coordination of local programs
* increase the quality of programs
* raise public awareness of the availability of programs for this age
group, and
* support research and share information.

Further initiatives as part of the Middle Childhood Strategy addressing
the quality and consistency of programs for children in their middle
childhood years will be introduced in 2013.

Information about the strategy:
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-50756.pdf


Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home
to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto’s
government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence,
creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and
cost of government and building a transportation city. For information
on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents,
businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Media contact: Aggie Fortier, Senior Communications Coordinator,
416-397-5326, afortie@toronto.ca

Greetings,

Nighisti Mahari Semeret was brutally stabbed to death on the morning of Oct. 23, 2012 as she walked back to her Cabbagetown home from work. Police believe she was attacked at random. Nighisti, who was from Eritrea, left behind a husband and four children. She worked tirelessly to support her kids back home and hoped to bring them to Canada. She was 55.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/cabbagetown-residents-plant-tree-memory-slain-woman-192001117.html

There have been funds established in her memory. If interested, here is how you can help:

EYC is raising funds to establish a plaque in memory of Nighisti Semret. Donate here: http://www.gofundme.com/1eqm64

St. Michael’s Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church: In support of transporting Nighisti Semret’s body to Africa: Nighisti Semret Memorial Fund at RBC transaction #05952 1003425

The Delta Chelsea hotel has set up a trust fund in Nighisti Semret’s name in support of her family’s needs: Institution #:010 transit #: 00322 account #:3286134

Please forward to your networks. Thank you.

In solidarity,

EYC Team

Scheduled for Wednesday October 24, 2012 from 11am – 3pm at the JCA located at: 995 Arrow Road (Finch Avenue West and Highway 400). 

Jobs include:

·Administrative Assistant, Office Support Worker, Healthcare Jobs, Call Centre Agents, General Labourers, Package Handlers, and More…

Employers include: 

·Home Depot, Toys R Us, Gay Lea Foods, Canada Breads, Regal Confections, Reckitt Beckiser (distribution centre for Wal Mart and Costco) and Magna Plants.

Bring your resume! For questions contact cmcclean@jcaontario.org 

Interested in taking part in a focus group for Project Menfes ?! Message or e-mail us (eritreanyouth@gmail.com) and we will provide you with the details!

Stories and photos through Eric Lafforgue`s Lens. 

http://www.ericlafforgue.com/stories/ASMARA_ARCHI/photos.htm

The EYC team would like to thank everyone who was involved in and supported our Youth Summit & Get Nakfa on Sept.15! It was a spectacular day filled with inspiration, community building and networking. Look out for a video compilation of the events that took place. We look forward to what we have in store for next year! Certainly a bright future ahead for the youth of Toronto…

Big Thank Yous To: Project Menfes Youth, Youth Council, our AMAZING volunteers (really couldn’t have done it without you all), our speakers/facilitators, Buruk Kebedom, Temesgen Hagos, Luam Keflezgy, Get Nakfa performers, Laidlaw Foundation and many more!