Our team

Fund Development Coordinator

Lela is an Urban Planner with a passion for community planning, development and housing policy. She has over 5 years of experience working on community planning and partnerships in the public sector. Lela is passionate  about creating inclusive and vibrant communities by employing a lens of social justice and collaboration to ensure that the unique goals of communities are understood and met. Throughout her personal and professional life, Lela has been inspired by the strength,  knowledge and capacity within children and youth. She is committed to breaking barriers and creating opportunities so that children and youth can find what they love in life and follow it with the passion it deserves.

Volunteering Coordinator 

Youth empowerment is at the heart of what Adrehana does. While sharing her multiple talents, she enjoys working alongside youth and providing support in the form of mentoring and tutoring. Adrehana has supported over one hundred high school students through the Pathways to Education Program and has worked with not-for-profit organizations for the past 7 years. She enjoys rapport building with youth and firmly believes that our youth is the hope of the future. Adrehana will continue to advocate on behalf of youth by actively listening to youth voices and their needs, and providing them guidance to navigate their early years.
 

Individual Givings Associate

Tracy has been working with individuals with disabilities for over 5 years with youth and adult development programs and has a strong passion in supporting individuals to become their best selves by providing meaningful interactions, supportive environment and impactful programs. She is keen in supporting the community through community outreach in the hopes to improve mentorship opportunities and create positive social change.  

Coordinator, Peer Support

Rebecca has a diverse background, with experience in various research, leadership, and advocacy-based roles within mental health. She has coupled her passion for working within the community with her interest in youth mental health supports, leading various mental health awareness groups and developing educational workshops. Academically, Rebecca has completed an undergraduate degree in psychology, and a graduate certificate in mental health and addictions. She is currently studying at the University of Toronto, completing a Master’s Degree in Health Service Research with specializations in health service outcomes and evaluation, and public health policy. Rebecca believes in the importance of providing supportive, empowering, and inclusive spaces for youth to grow and thrive. She is committed to meeting youth where they are and supporting their unique needs through engaging programs and opportunity building.

Facilitator, Peer Support

Ian has a number of years’ experience working with youth in mentorship roles, sports coaching and community involvement. His academic background lies in the areas of policy and social studies. His many years volunteering has taught him to respect that everyone has something to contribute and that there is strength in diversity. He admires the passion and commitment demonstrated by the staff and participants at Youth Rising Above and is excited to be a part of this community, to work with and giveback to the youth of Toronto.

Coordinator, Youth Advisory Committee

Emma is currently studying Child and Youth Care at Humber College. Her area of interest includes learning about different therapeutic modalities and activities that can assist and empower children, youth, and their families. Emma is passionate about the mental health of children and youth. She began her volunteer work with Kids Help Phone where she continues to volunteer as a Crisis Responder. Emma is committed to working alongside young people in the community and supporting youth in a positive and meaningful way.

Fund Development Associate

 Tenisha is a passionate fundraising professional with over 13 years of experience. Her passion for fundraising began when she was a teenage canvasser trying to acquire donations for womxn equality and youth empowerment projects in Haiti. She has worked as a Community Programmer that oversaw the implementation and development of youth programs within York Region and Toronto communities. Tenisha is excited to learn from, support and work alongside YRA and young people. In her free time, she enjoys going to art galleries, paint studios and on adventures with her Nikon camera. 

 Mentorship Program Facilitator

Renata comes from a background in career development, workshop facilitation, and mentorship. She has valuable experience in career support and working closely with youth and young adults, helping them overcome barriers. Growing up in 4 different countries, Renata brings her international experience and intercultural sensitivity into all her interactions. She brings experience in various volunteering roles across the city, supporting the day to day basic needs of marginalized people, as well as volunteering around the world with children, youth, and seniors. She brings experience as a young HR professional with work experience in various startups and is passionate about mental health in the workplace, school, and day to day life. She is passionate about empowering youth through honest conversation and mentorship.  

Coordinator, Policy & Procedure Development

Celena has extensive experiences in the administration and education field working with youth and international students from diverse backgrounds. She helps students prepare for the Canadian workplace while ensuring they master the language proficiency and achieve academic excellence. Her professional experiences include counselling, developing policies for the school and managing diverse students. She is passionate and excited working with Youth Rising Above to make a difference to the community and empowering youth at risk to have successful and enriching lives. 

Facilitator, Peer Support

Theresa comes from the world of law, and has been working as a lawyer at a firm in Toronto for the past decade. Theresa has gained valuable experience in mentorship, leadership and helping others develop and thrive in their careers in the legal space. She is an advocate for diverse students and lawyers, and has experience acting as a volunteer mentor in various youth development programs dedicated to marginalized communities. Theresa’s professional and personal experiences have made her passionate about mental health and wellness, and she believes in the importance of providing safe and supportive places for youth to grow, thrive and be engaged. She is excited and passionate about the work being done at Youth Rising Above, and is very excited and honored to be part of this team.

Program Facilitator, DiscoverU

 A driven Caseworker and a dedicated Registered Early Childhood Educator, Joanna has been working with children and youth for many years. She works in the non-profit field, supporting newcomer and refugee families, children and youth integrate into Canadian society.  Joanna is passionate in providing opportunities for young people to learn, develop and help them realize their full potential. Working at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel, has given her the experience of being a positive mentor offering guidance and support, connecting youth to broader experiences, opportunities and networks while providing a safe and non-judgemental environment in which they can gain the confidence to achieve more. Joanna is excited to begin this new journey with Youth Rising Above and looks forward to empowering young people. 

Executive Assistant

Samantha is a recent Child and Youth Care graduate with an interest in research and program development. Her previous experience in arts-based programming inspires her to create innovative forms of practice and mentorship that inspires and empowers youth. She is passionate about mental health, evidence-based practice, and art/movement-based therapy. She is also an advocate for youth-centered practice, striving to center the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of youth within the systems created around them. Working collaboratively with Youth Rising Above, Samantha is committed to using her research, knowledge and skills to provide youth with an inclusive community that is abundant in opportunity.