successBL

It’s that time of year that summer site lead and teaching applications for the SBL Summer Program are available. Applications are due Friday, April 29 via email. See the links below for applications.

Site Lead Success Beyond Limits 2016

Application for Teaching – Exploring Family Studies 2016

At the 2015 Kitty Lundy Memorial Lecture, our SBL alumni performed pieces inspired by the book titled Elizabeth & Hazel: Two Women of Little Rock, which takes as its starting point the iconic civil rights era news photograph depicting teenagers Elizabeth Eckford and Hazel Bryan. Our youth had the chance to engage with the book and create the spoken word pieces which you can check out below.

Performances by: Suvannah, Abdulkadir “Moose” Nur, Kareem Bennett, and DC Williams

Come to @SuccessBL Youth Space @WestviewCentSS for the Premier’s Council on Youth Opportunities “Listening Tour” Feb. 12th at 3:30PM

Register today https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/pcyo-listening-tour-west-gta-tickets-19433874241

In 2013, Toota Hassanien came across a Success Beyond Limits info booth at York University and inquired about volunteer opportunities within the organization.  In those first few months as a volunteer, she tutored students, assisted with our after school program, and contributed to strengthening our evaluation efforts.  As summer approached – our most intense time for programming – she took on a seasonal role and made her mark as a part of the SBL team.  With the start of the school year she was successful in obtaining the role of After School Supervisor.

As all of our mentors, students, parents, partners, board members and team members are well aware, her contributions to the growth and impact of Success Beyond Limits have always been at a high level, and have been critical in so many of the positive steps we have taken.

Building on her York U degree in psychology, Toota went back to school in 2015 to complete a Human Resources certificate at Seneca.  This focus on expanding her knowledge and skills was applied directly to SBL where she engaged in building critical structures within the organization.  Her passion for evaluation and building a strong and resilient organization led to the formation of the role of Organizational Assistant, which she has operated in for the past year.

These accomplishments and contributions have been vital to SBL, but they are not what Toota has been most known and loved for.  She is always present and prepared to drop anything for someone that needs to talk and to be heard.  She has brought a positive presence into our space that reflects the welcoming and supportive place SBL strives to provide in the community.  Her heart is always dialed in to help and to be of assistance wherever needed.

As Toota takes these steps forward in her own professional growth, she will remain a part of the SBL family.  SBL will not be the same without Toota, but it is better because she has been a part of it.

For the past three months, Success Beyond Limits staff Mohamed Ahmed, Tesfai Mengesha and Shanaz Ali who are also certified teachers participated in a 3-day module called Helping Readers Who Really Struggle, a PLC training session. This grassroots initiative aims to help secondary Westview students that are struggling with reading and to provide effective strategies to support students that are not reading at their appropriate grade level. The strategies and activities that have been taught to the SBL staff members will be utilized in the SBL after-school program. More specifically during the daily homework club program in order to help struggling readers build the fundamental reading skills needed to achieve academic success. This is one of our many ways of getting involved with Westview’s culture by collaborating with other teachers in the building who do great work in supporting the students who need it most.

On November 24^th, PEACH, Success Beyond Limits, The Spot and community partners celebrated the Launch of the 40 asset model. The evening consisted of great learning around the 40 Developmental Assets® Model, the power of building these assets in youth and how everyone plays a role in supporting

Developed by The Search Institute, the 40 Asset Model® is a set of 40 qualities, skills and experiences that support young people as they grow-up into thriving adults. At the heart of this framework is the importance of community and developmental relationships as foundational pillars in supporting young people during their most critical period of development

We are proud to be a partner in this movement on BUILDING ASSETS in the Jane Finch community and look forward to the impact this framework will have on redefining how youth are viewed!

The Generation Change Kick off conference was held on Wednesday November 04^th, 2015 at the Carmine Stefano Community Centre. Members of the Success Beyond Limits team Delano Grant, Kaneka Watkins, and Mohamed Ahmed conducted two workshops titled “Present Your Best” for the student leaders from Westview Centennial Secondary School, Downsview Secondary School, and C W Jefferys Collegiate Institute. The workshop focused on youth engaging around the themes Be Prepared, Engagement, and Time Management, in preparing them for the presentations they will be doing for the Middle School students in their community. The Success Beyond Limits team will be hosting a series of “Reaching Back” workshops starting January 2016 for Brookview and Oakdale Middle School in engaging and supporting youth on various topics such as Healthy Relationships and Anti-Bullying. Success Beyond Limits Mentors will conduct these workshops with staff support and Generation Change student leaders. Lots to come in breaking barriers to community Engagement.

The Westview Centennial Secondary School grade ten retreat took place from October 14^th-16^th, 2015. The Generation Change student club hosted the camp in partnership with Success Beyond Limits Education Program at Camp Pine Crest in embracing learning beyond the classroom. This opportunity provided 50 grade ten students and 20 grade eleven and twelve student leaders the chance to explore the outdoors and build healthy relationship amongst each other. The camp allowed youth to step away from the distraction of technology devices and to embrace Self-Exploration in a different environmental setting. A big part of creating leaders is acknowledging one, and grade 11 and 12 student leaders from Generation Change and SBL got the chance to build upon their mentorship role in ensuring the grade ten students felt supported and encouraged in knowing they had support system amongst their peers.

Many individuals who have gone through our graduation model have grown from one position and transitioned into a variety of different roles. Delano has gone through this model and has been a vital person to the success of this program. His past experience as a mentor for 3 consecutive years while attending Westview C.S.S has made him a great candidate for the recreational staff role. As a recreational staff for 2 consecutive summers, he has been working closely with many youth in the mentor position and exemplified positive leadership. Delano has recently graduated and received his degree in social work from Ryerson University. His work in and out of school has been reflective of what we look for in an individual who has the passion to influence positive change in our community. Delano is currently working in a new role with SBL during the school year on a full time basis as one of our core staff supporting the growth and development of our youth. His outgoing personality and strong connection to SBL participants is one of the assets that he brings to the table along with his outlook on ways in which we can tackle community issues. We welcome Delano Grant with open arms as he embarks on a new role with SBL and enters in with a strong head start.