Youth Empowering Parents

I wanted to be the first person to review this charity but I saw that someone just beat me to it. I love this organization. I love the idea where they get youth to volunteer to tutor older people who need help, usually adults who are new to the country. They pair us with adults from our same community who speak our language, so the adults get private tutoring and no one has to pay anything. I volunteered there for a looong time, starting all the way back when the organization began. I was teaching skills to adults 1 on 1 who were newcomers to Canada who were having so much trouble integrating into a new country. I helped them learn English, apply to jobs, study to get a drivers license, showed them how to sign up their kids for afterschool programs, and pretty much anything else they needed to live an easier life. I lost track of how many people I helped. But one adult I remember the most told me how grateful she and her husband were to me. They said I was their mentor even though I was less than half their age, and every time I see them outside I see a big smile on their face. They told me how they were scared and lonely for their first year in Canada. However, when they joined YEPs program and met me, they said that I made everything so much easier for them. Every time I see newcomers who are struggling outside, like if they are having trouble communicating in a restaurant or in a daycare, I tell them about this program. I think I helped around 30 adults join. The neighbourhood they operate in is an at-risk area, and they try so hard to encourage local youth to volunteer. They bring in youth who really want to be leaders in their community. They also even bring in youth who many others would say "are a lost cause." I have seen some youth at the beginning show up late, stay on their phone too much and not always pay attention to the adult, and so many times try to extort staff and fabricate volunteer hours for them to report to their school for credit. But by the end, so many of them are doing so well. It's not easy work but they are so committed to making positive change. They keep training and mentoring. And even many adults who join will bring their teenage kids with them to keep them involved in something productive. They also give employment to local staff, and because they live in the same neighborhood, these are people who understand the community and who show so much patience to help so many youth and adults to succeed. I am from the same community where this charity started and I appreciate how many lives they made better.
May 16th, 2023

This was the first place I volunteered during my high school years (grade 9 to 10). The managers and the supervisor were so rude and racist. My duties included teaching computer skills to newcomers. My supervisor who was a Pakistani started to speak Urdu to the newcomer in front of me assuming I wouldn't understand. I understood everything she said. She asked the newcomer if I was doing my job properly, if I taught her skills properly, asked the newcomer not to lie and tell the truth. She forced my mother to come despite my mom has to work and been living in this country for more than 50 years. I felt to annoyed and discriminated as this is not a job. I volunteered my time to be part of this organization but this is how they treat me.
May 8th, 2023

I was a part of YEP's summer program last year from July to August. As covid was still present in our daily lives, I attended the program online. Which was coordinated very well - something I didn't expect but I am grateful. The mentors in the program were very supportive and flexible the entire time, so even someone with a hectic schedule would be able to participate. I initially joined to complete my mandatory student hours and to make something of my summer. This was a terrific opportunity to gain those community service hours; I ended up collecting a great amount of them so I recommend the program for high school students. experiences in tutoring / connecting with others. I was taught interesting ways to teach people much older than me and had the chance to meet all kinds of people. Volunteers were allowed to lead and manage themselves. I was able to regrow my passion for teaching others and had a fulfilling summer while developing my independence and responsibility. I think this organization is a great place for adolescence to connect with their community and learn something valuable about themselves. In addition to those, YEP is a really good community to become a part of. You broaden your connections with those around you and make connections that will be beneficial for many years.
May 4th, 2023