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.

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.

Administrative Assistant, Rising Together

 Ivana has an academic background in sociology and public policy and is passionate about fostering stronger mental health literacy. She recognizes a broader gap in addressing youth mental health and believes in the value of a safe and inclusive space that provides youth with the opportunity to speak openly about their experiences. Ivana has held several administrative roles that have allowed her to gain experience with program support and data integration in both professional and volunteer capacities. She is looking forward to integrating the knowledge from her administrative experience to support and empower youth in the Rising Together program. 

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, 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.  

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. 

Fund Development Associate

 Yara is a dedicated and passionate recent university graduate with a degree in Criminology. Being born in Egypt, then going on to live in multiple countries in the Middle East, she now resides in Toronto and has a diverse understanding of cultural practices and traditions. Her motivation to pursue her educational background stems from her passion to advocate for wrongfully convicted youth, an equitable society, and social justice in general. Yara aims to inspire and empower youth by providing them with current and future opportunities that will serve as a catalyst for positive change. She ultimately strives to stand as a supportive figure, a listening ear, a helping hand, and a shoulder to lean on.