CELEBRATING THE YOUTH WE SERVE
Congrats to Omolade George for being our first Youth of the Month for 2025
Omolade George is a dedicated third-year student at McMaster University and an aspiring child psychologist. She is pursuing an Honours degree in Applied Psychology specializing in Autism and Behavioural Science. Recognized for her academic excellence and leadership, Omolade has received the Archway Leader in Community and John c. holland Community Awards. She excels at balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and professional roles with distinction. Omolade serves as the President of the Human Behaviour Society, represents her faculty as the Undergraduate Science Senator, and works as a Sexual Violence Prevention Peer Educator, promoting consent culture and educating peers on healthy relationships. These roles have allowed her to develop strong skills in facilitation, community engagement, and qualitative research ethics. In addition to her leadership roles, Omolade has worked as a Program Assistant for the McMaster Access Program, where she helped high school students transition to university.
We are proud of you Omolade!
Congrats to Novah Henry for being March’s Youth of the Month! (submitted by his parents @chantybaby )
Novah is an amazing child who lights up a room when he walks in and has a heart of gold. He loves to help, whether it is around the house, with his younger brother and sister or pumping gas at the gas station. He is very active in the programs he attends and enjoys taking a leadership role when participating or helping his peers.
He is a brilliant artist who does well in school and will excel at whatever he puts his mind to.
We are proud of you !
Congrats to Noah Waddel-Henry for being our April Youth of the Month (submitted by his mother)
Despite facing health challenges throughout his life, he has consistently demonstrated resilience, determination and a positive attitude. His unwavering spirit and achievements in the face of adversity make him a truly deserving candidate for this award.
From a young age, Noah has been diagnosed with Epilepsy. Despite the physical and emotional toll of this challenge he has not let that define him. Instead, he has shown incredible strength in continuing to pursue his passion which was soccer at that time on
a rep team and engaged with his peers and made a positive impact on the community around him.
In addition to his personal resilience Noah is an active participant in a Black Youth Alliance program at his school where he educates others about the black culture and things he would like to see happen in the school board for black youths.
Even after a radial shaft fracture surgery where they would place a metal plate with screws in his arm for life he still remained mentally strong.
His ability to overcome obstacles while maintaining a kind heart and a giving nature is a true inspiration to everyone who knows him.
We are proud of you Noah!
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Congrats to Agumjot Bedi for being our May Youth of the Month. @agumjot.bedi28
Agumjot Bedi is a grade 10 student-athlete who competes in figure skating at the provincial and national levels. Post high school, she aspired to enter the medical science field as she has a passion for science and helping others. Growing up in a Sikh household, she always wanted to make a meaningful contribution to her community as her culture emphasizes the principle of “Seva,” or selfless service, motivating her to create a nonprofit organization.
After years of dreaming about it, she finally took action by founding a nonprofit organization using her passion for reading to provide free ebooks to those in need. She created a passion project which pertains to an online organization where she offers books for free downloads. This initiative not only promotes literacy but also fosters a love for reading. Her goal is to spread this website to as many people as possible. @novel_perch
We are proud of you Agumjot!
Congrats to Tiana Golding for being our June Youth of the Month(Nominated by her Aunt)!
Tiana Golding has undergone some challenges this past year, from relocating to Brampton from Scarborough and dealing with some personal issues and being apart from her family. Tiana wasn’t as interested in school and her attendance wasn’t the best. This year however after coming to the Literacy Life Skills program her self esteem has improved, her attendance in school has gotten better and she has been making great friendships while showing the world how amazing she is.
We are proud of you Tiana!
Congrats to Josiah Morgan for being our July Youth of the Month!
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Nominated by his mother, Josiah is an exceptional young man whose leadership, determination, and community spirit make him a role model for his peers and an inspiration to younger youth in our community.
Josiah is a competitive soccer player who was recently signed to the Durham College Men’s Soccer Team for the upcoming 2025 season.
This fall, he will be starting a three-year Advanced Diploma in Sports Management, taking a significant step toward turning his passion into a career. His commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, has been unwavering.
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As a Black youth in a predominantly white athletic environment, Josiah has faced challenges that require resilience, self-awareness, and strength of character. Rather than allowing these challenges to discourage him, he has used them as motivation to lead and uplift others. Recognizing the importance of representation and access, he now dedicates his time to coaching and mentoring younger Black athletes in our community.
Through this informal coaching, he provides soccer skills development, encouragement, and a sense of belonging to youth who often don’t see themselves reflected in mainstream athletics. More than just a coach, he is a mentor who uses his faith as the foundation of his guidance. He supports these youth in nurturing not only their physical abilities but also their spiritual and mental well-being.
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In additional to all this Josiah has also taken on the entrepreneurial spirit of starting his own barber business.
Congrats to Nia Karacic for being our August Youth of the Month (nominated by her mother)
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Nia has shown outstanding commitment and character, making her a shining example within our community. She consistently dedicates her time and energy to the Shining Light Youth Charity program, attending weekly and participating with genuine enthusiasm. Her reliability and presence make a positive impact, not just on the program, but on her peers as well.
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What truly sets Nia apart is her character. She is kind, thoughtful, and conscientious. She is always considering the needs of others and offering help without hesitation. Her quiet leadership and positive attitude inspire those around her. Her dedication, drive, and heart make her a great candidate for Youth of the Month.
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@nerissakaracic @oneworldmoss
We are proud of you Nia!
Congrats to Danica Bruno for being our September Youth of the Month (nominated by her mother)
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Danica is a remarkable 12-year-old whose compassion, curiosity, and commitment to service make her an outstanding candidate for the Shining Lighte Youth Charity Scholarship.
Danica’s recent trip to the Dominican Republic highlights her deep sense of empathy and initiative. She collected and filled eight suitcases with essential supplies—clothing, toiletries, and educational materials—and delivered them personally to Haitian orphanages. She not only donated, but also spent time with the children, sharing a meal and even leading a heartfelt French prayer before lunch. These moments reflected her sincere desire to connect and uplift others. Danica continues nurturing those connections by practicing Spanish daily on Duolingo, so she can communicate with the children in both French and Spanish.
In addition to her service work, Danica is a dedicated student who embraces learning in all forms. She is passionate about science and literature, and she participates in bilingual book clubs. Her love of reading has inspired her to begin building a website to share reviews of her favourite books and also create a library app to share her books with her friends.
Danica is also a talented musician who plays the cello and performs with her school orchestra. She is a proud member of the Umoja Robotics Team, where she mentors younger students and helps lead their community work. The team recently earned the FIRST Robotics Impact Award, recognizing their leadership and outreach efforts. Danica recently started making African print accessories to sell as a way to raise money for the team.
Danica’s journey is just beginning, but her compassion and drive already shine brightly.
We are proud of you Danica!
Congrats to Alyssa Binns for being our October Youth of the Month (nominated by her mother)
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Congrats to Oluwadamilola Adesanya for being our November Youth of the Month (nominated by her mother)
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My name is Dami and I am going to tell you all about my life. I am 14 years old turning 15 soon and I am going into grade 10 I have a little brother that I love so much and my wonderful parents that nominated me for this opportunity. I love giving back to my community, especially my church. I am a Christian that tries my best to serve in any way that I can such as volunteering and helping in the baby room of my church’s children department every Sunday. By helping out I am surrounded with a positive environment, that engages me in the community. I also try to volunteer whenever I am given the opportunity to for example if an after school club is in need of help or assistance, I always try to be of help. Another way I try to give back to the community is by volunteering and participating in the Boys and Girls program and providing guidance and leadership to younger kids in the program. I love to help out others and be apart of the community because I enjoy making a positive impact and connecting with other people because I know it gives me an opportunity to grow and become a better person.
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Oluwadamilola has been able to maintain an excellent academic achievement right from kindergarten. She also graduated with honors from elementary into highschool.
She takes initiatives in doing things and also loves giving support to her friends in the area of academic where she can
We are proud of you Dami!
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Congrats to Brianna Smith for being our December Youth of the Month (nominated by her mother)
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Brianna has shown so much growth and positivity this past year and has really found her rhythm literally and figuratively! 🎸 She loves playing guitar and singing with her friends, spending as much time as possible surrounded by people who lift her up.
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Through our Literacy Life Skills program, Brianna’s confidence has blossomed. Her school attendance and motivation have improved, and she’s built strong, supportive friendships that bring out her best. We’re so proud of how far she’s come and can’t wait to see where her talents take her next! 🌟, Brianna also wants to become a Hairdresser and Registered nurse like her mom.
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We are proud of you, Brianna! 💛
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