STUDENT AND FAMILY ADVOCATES

WHAT IS THE STUDENT AND FAMILY ADVOCATE (SFA) PROGRAM? 

For Youth Initiative (FYI) Student and Family Advocates (“SFA”) support Black youth aged 13 to 25 with existing school-based programs and community supports that help them address barriers to educational and life/career success.

FYIs Student and Family Advocates use culturally-relevant and responsive approaches to build programming, and workshops that support youth and their families with systems navigation and advocacy supports. SFAs work one on one with youth to develop individualized action plans to help them overcome educational and life barriers that they may face while navigating school, work, and other systems. Learning the skills to navigate these systems, and tools to combat anti-blackness supports youth in becoming self-sufficient adults.

wHO ARE THE fyi sTUDENT AND FAMILY aDVOCATES?

Cornelious comes with knowledge and expertise working with youth who identify as Black to navigate different systems. He supports youth with case management and care coordination to equip them with the tools they need to achieve their respective goals. He simultaneously acts as an advocate of youth’s needs and conduit for positive social change by implementing community-based information sessions. He operates from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive service delivery approach to mentor and provide services for youth. He also brings his experience working in the shelter system to this current role, where he can manage emergency situations, as they arise.

Cornelious can be contacted at cornelious@foryouth.ca

Mishka specializes in supporting Afro-Caribbean newcomer youth with navigating the Ontario school system and by providing mentorship and advocacy support. Mishka has experience as a newcomer youth as she had to navigate the school system on her own as a Jamaican newcomer youth. Mishka is passionate about youth success and works with youth in creating their goals that will support them to be self-sufficient young adults. Being a newcomer youth is challenging enough without the stresses of anti-Black racism. Mishka understands this duality and helps support Black newcomer youth with developing lifelong advocacy skills that will help them navigate and graduate high school and post-secondary school. These skills are transferrable and can be used to support youth outside of school to help prepare them for the workforce.

Mishka can be contacted at mishka@foryouth.ca

 WHEN SHOULD YOU CONTACT A STUDENT AND FAMILY ADVOCATE?

If you need Educational Support

• Academic Support (Tutoring, homework help, study skills)

• Scholarship applications, OSAP Applications

• Course Selection Support

• Support with Independent Educational Learning Plans (IEP)

• After School Programs (At specific TDSB schools)

If you need Systems Navigations

• Support with Student Appeals (Grade appeals, suspensions, streaming)

• Support with applying for academic or personal accommodations

• Support with combating anti-Black racism in the Ontario School Boards and classrooms

• Supporting Black Parents & Families with understanding enrollment requirements, how to apply for post-secondary school, understanding important documentation, and how to how teachers and administrators accountable.

• Supporting conversations with administration

If you need Advocacy Support

• Providing supportive feedback on grade standings and creating educational plans with teachers and students

• Provide parents and teachers with mediation support

• And much more...

Looking to get involved in the Community

• Need support with volunteer hours

• Looking for leadership opportunities

If you need Case Management

• Support with goal setting 

• One on one advisement sessions for youth & families

• Mentorship support & guidance

  
  
  

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CONTACT FYI’S STUDENT AND FAMILY ADVOCATES?

• Step 1: Fill out the Intake Form

• Step 2: An SFA Youth worker will follow up to schedule a Needs Assessment Appointment

• Step 3: Create goals together, and follow through on achieving them

• Step 4: Optional - Attend SFA programming and get involved in the community

For More Information about the other 17 SFA Organizations please head over to the following link: https://studentandfamilyadvocate.com/