Part of what makes our approach so different.
We believe that youth are co-creators of their community and need to be empowered to fulfill that role. As part of our “train the trainer” model, we involve youth to advise strategy, generate solutions and train other youth themselves.
There are many organizations and service providers working to help improve the lives of youth today. But often this work ends up being adult-driven, where we talk at or down to youth. We believe in empowering and training youth so they can drive change, solve problems and train other youth themselves – we call it the “train the trainer” model. That’s why we created the Youth Impact Team.
Build skills, build networks, build your resume!
Youth Impact Team members are passionate young adults, aged 18 – 29, who want to make a difference in their community.
As part of our Youth Impact Team, we are committed to ensuring you reach your full potential:
- Improve your public speaking, critical thinking, communication, leadership skills and more.
- Interact in new settings and build confidence!
- Have your voice matter and make a difference!
- Meet and build relationships with other youth and adults!
- Be trained by professionals to develop new skills
The Mandate of the Youth Impact Team (YIT) is to:
- Ensure the voice of local youth is heard and will play a significant role in shaping programs that are focused on their priorities and goals.
- Engage youth in focused discussions with community leaders invested in youth success.
- Be trained to lead and leverage buy in from their peers and high school students.
- Be involved in planning and co-creating solutions for the challenges youth face.
- Help to create effective communication tools that engage youth.
- In consultation with the Senior Leadership Team; develop, implement and evaluate programs that best meets the needs of youth in Hamilton communities.
Youth Impact Team values include:
- Valuing lived experience and creating confidential and supportive peer spaces where youth can speak openly about their experiences and perspectives, using their own language, in order to support each other, improve their levels of *Developmental Assets, identify challenges/barriers, and advocate for change.
- Working towards equity by respecting each other and creating spaces where youth are free from discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual identity, class, income, education, legal status, citizenship, and religion.
- Respecting self-determination and choice so that youth have access to all of the information they need and want and are supported in making informed decisions about their lives.
- Ensuring accessibility and accommodation where barriers to participation and inclusion of youth are eliminated.
- Advocating for options in how we understand and support youth in services that are available.
The Healthy Youth Network believes that young leaders are co-creators of their community and the Youth Impact Team empowers young leaders so they can drive change, solve problems and train other youth themselves.
Our IMPACT Series is intended to train and equip young leaders. Watch for future workshops.
Our Team
Samantha is a former WDHS graduate and has a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Digital Media and Journalism and minoring in Leadership, at Wilfrid Laurier University, and a graduate certificate in Contemporary Media Studies through Conestoga College. She is currently co-President of HYN’s Board of Directors, ensuring youth voices are heard in the decision making.
I joined the YIT because I saw teens in our community needing supports and services but not knowing how or where to access them. These services exist in Hamilton but they are unable to access them up here in Flamborough. I also believe that youth helping youth is the best way to make and see change.”
– Samantha McGregor
Mackenzie is a Media Studies graduate from the University of Guelph-Humber. Throughout university, she was involved in the Consent Peer Educator Program, working to promote a culture of consent on campus. She looks forward to starting the conversations of consent and healthy relationships in high schools as the Program Coordinator of the Ally Team. Born and raised in Waterdown, she loves to find ways to be involved in the community. She has a strong passion for social activism.
Ally Program Research Coordinator
Sabrina attends McMaster University – School of Social Work and expects to graduate this spring with an Honours Bachelor of Social Work and a minor in Mental Health, Addictions and Society. Her career goals are to work in anti-violence and has experience working with violence prevention services. She has certifications in mental health first aid and non-violent crisis intervention. .
Ally Program Research Advisor
Steffani is a former WDHS graduate and a graduate of the University of Guelph. She completed an Honors Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Public Policy and is now tracking to begin a Masters of Social Work. She is aspiring to be a therapist and is excited to bring her peer mentoring skills and policy knowledge to the team.
I believe HYN has huge value to the community and has since its origin. It’s one of the only programs targeting youth from every angle and genuinely invested in their futures and shaping healthy kids. Especially in the rural areas of Flamborough. I hope to remain with the organization to see its full plans come to fruition because they’re going to make amazing change.”
– Steffani Lang
Gary is a former WDHS graduate whose story helped inspire the Flamborough Paint Challenge and HYN. He is the co-founder of the Paint Challenge. He graduated from Oxford College, with honours, and is now working towards his Red Seal as a Stone Mason. He continues to lead organization of the Flamborough Paint Challenge.
Connor is one of our Paint Challenge Team Leaders and Sponsorship Advisors. Connor graduated from WDHS and completed the Construction Trades Techniques program at George Brown College. He has a passion for construction and has worked in many different fields of trades including carpentry, landscaping and pools, electrical, and residential/commercial renovations.
There is no worse feeling during adolescence than the sense of not belonging. With the Flamborough Paint Challenge, an opportunity is given for youth and all members of the community to foster meaningful relationships, connect with peers, and have fun.”
– Connor Sweeney
Caileigh is a Waterdown District High School graduate, and Western University alumni, where she studied Kinesiology with a minor in Rehabilitation Sciences. During her time at Western she volunteered as an Orientation Leader and a Student Mentor; here she found her passion working with youth, providing mental health support and creating a safe and diverse community within the school for all students. She is excited to be a part of Healthy Youth Networks’ Youth Impact Team, and the Flamborough community to create systemic change against gender based violence in her hometown.
Holly is a graduate of Queen’s University and a recipient of the Pathy Family Fellowship through the Coady Institute. Her fellowship work utilized the Developmental Assets to create a peer-led mentorship program with Inuit youth. Holly is excited to bring her knowledge of the Developmental Assets and Coady approach to community development to support Flamborough’s youth.
When I was a student at Waterdown District High School I was introduced briefly to what the developmental assets were. It wasn’t until later through my own work that I was really able to see the measurable value they bring to youth and community. Being a part of the Youth Impact Team, I’m excited to continue to create a Flamborough where youth know their strengths, have meaningful relationships in their lives and have the assets they need to transition into adulthood.”
Holly McCann
