Our Team

Women's Programming 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.

Volunteer 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.
 

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.

Coordinator, Policy & Procedure Development

 Leondre Guy has a Political Science undergraduate degree from Ryerson University with experience in research and outreach practices with Black men in Toronto, Canada. He was a research assistant for the weSpeak project for two years, as well as an outreach coordinator for the Young and Potential Fathers program, which serves as a resource for Black fathers in Toronto by providing employment and legal support among others. Leondre Guy joined YRA because he wants to give back to his community while creating policies that align with YRA's  mission towards youth and their families. 

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.

Facilitator, GoTheDistance

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.  

Peer Support Facilitator, Rising Together

Asiyah is a passionate and outspoken Scarborough native, with an educational background in Criminology and Women's Studies from York University. She is community oriented and has experience in sports coaching, youth mentorship, and event planning. She has partnered with various organizations such as the City of Toronto Recreation, where she organized free interactive Skate Nights that highlight the intersections of being black and Muslim, and prioritized the attendance of those affected populations. She has also coordinated career workshops with a focus on young women for Sakinah Foundation, and tutoring programs as a volunteer with Dorset Park Community Hub. Asiyah has also volunteered with the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants where she worked directly with newcomer populations. With additional certifications in Mental Health First Aid and Leadership and sensitivity training, she is keen to pursue new ways to approach youth and peer mentorship, with a specialized focus on marginalized populations.

Program Facilitator, Women's Programming

Bea is a diasporic Filipina, living and working in Toronto. She has a degree in Women & Gender Studies and Political Science from the University of Toronto, where her work centered on the lived experiences of Filipinx-Canadian workers, women, and youth. Having over four years of experience in hospital healthcare, she values every opportunity to connect with others while supporting the needs of her diverse community. Growing up as a first generation immigrant in Canada, Bea is committed to empowering marginalized youth and creating meaningful spaces for young people to foster their passions, access the support they need, and have their voices heard. She is excited and grateful for the opportunity to share what she has learned to advocate for youth and guide them towards reaching their full potential. 

Peer Support Facilitator, Rising Together

Toni is a recent McMaster graduate in the Psychology, Neuroscience, & Behavior (Mental Health Specialization) Program.  She was born and raised on the east side of Toronto, where she credits her resiliency and determination to (1) her cultural upbringing and (2) youth programs she was involved in growing up. She is working as a researcher at a hospital in Toronto, and is currently applying to graduate programs this year to pursue a career as a clinician-scientist. Toni is excited to be a part of YRA. She hopes to provide support to youth from underrepresented backgrounds who have limited access to support system