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- Youth Accelerator
Youth Accelerator

CIBC and BlackNorth Initiative Youth Accelerator
BGC Canada to administer multi-year program to help empower the next generation of leaders and changemakers from the Black community.
In collaboration with the BlackNorth Initiative (BNI), CIBC’s multi-year program has been developed and is part of CIBC’s commitment to removing barriers and helping members of the Black community achieve their ambitions.
The Youth Accelerator will provide students from the Black community with $50,000 over four years for tuition, mentorship, financial education, and opportunities to secure paid internships or co-ops with other corporate partners and businesses in a variety of sectors, offering students a broad platform for career discovery.
BGC Canada (formerly Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada) is leading outreach and selection, working closely with CIBC and the BlackNorth Initiative to engage up to 30 candidates to be involved in the program in 2022.
Students eligible for the program must be enrolled in Grade 10 and/or Grade 11 as of the 2021/22 school year, with applications open now until March 7th, 2022.
For more information please visit CIBC Youth Accelerator Scholarship | BGC Canada

RiseUP

RiseUp powered by Kids Help Phone is for Black youth. African, Caribbean and Black people across Canada can access free wellness support 24/7 by texting RISE to 686868 or Facebook Messenger.
Since 1989, Kids Help Phone has been deeply committed to serving every young person who reaches out for help when they need it, in the way they need it most. They’re Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering confidential support to young people in English and French. From coast to coast, their professional counsellors and trained volunteer crisis
responders are always there for youth. They offer:
- Crisis support via text and Facebook Messenger
- Mental health info, tips and activities on their website
- Online support forums and real-life stories
- Professional counselling through phone and online chat
- Support for all ages through the Wellness Together Canada portal
- Support for post-secondary students in Ontario and Nova Scotia via Good2Talk
- Support service directories in Resources Around Me
- Youth mental health data insights
- And more!
You can learn more about their mental health programs and services by visiting
KidsHelpPhone.ca.
The prevalence of anti-Black racism in Canada is staggering. Long histories of injustice compounded by recent tragic events are taking a toll on the mental health of young people from across the Afro-diaspora. There are several barriers that influence Black youth seeking the support they need and deserve: fear and stigma, a lack of representation and relatability, a scarcity of awareness of services and systemic anti-Black racism.
While many recognize Kids Help Phone as a safe space for support, more must and can be done. This means that services need to be adapted to be relevant, equitable and accessible to more African, Caribbean and Black youth across Canada.
Informed by Black young people, Black community leaders and Black organizations, RiseUp powered by Kids Help Phone is an initiative that stems from the concerted effort of the BlackNorth Initiative At-Rise Youth Committee and is generously supported by The Slaight Family Foundation. It’s how we all elevate to meet the needs of Black youth by providing wellness support, engaging with diverse communities, and empowering generations with tools and resources.

For more information and ways to get involved, you can visit KidsHelpPhone.ca/RISE</> blackyouth@kidshelpphone.ca