The Salvation Army in Mississauga Supporting New Young Canadians Through Leadership Program

The Salvation Army in Mississauga is helping youth who are new to Canada build leadership skills, develop friendships and address community needs for low- income and new Canadians.

The Newcomers Youth Leaders Building program began early this year at The Salvation Army Mississauga Community Church and each session lasts 15 weeks.

In the first 6 weeks of orientation the youth, age 15 to 24 discuss the challenges they face as newcomers to Canada. They are visited by a speaker who tells them about the challenges he experienced and how he overcame them. There is also a leadership component where youth learn how to be good stewards in their community. Following this the youth are taught how to do a community needs assessment and write a program proposal which they later present to Salvation Army staff. The Salvation Army’s Innovation Grant funds the youth’s programs. Each group has $1500 dollars for their project.

“This program aims to help participants build confidence and communication skills, help youth make friends, give back to the community and develop leadership skills,” said Salvation Army Cadet Officer Mirna Dirani.

The 15 youths were divided into three groups of five and each group developed their own idea for a program.

The first group decided to assist seniors in the community who they found to be very isolated during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The youth also sought to break the generation gap. They organized a meal for local seniors in which about 30 attended and ran activities, including planting and karaoke. Each senior was presented a gift and a note from a youth participant. Each youth also sat at a table to talk to the seniors and get to know them.

One of the group participants 15-year-old Saif Alkadi says these types of events can really make a difference and spread joy to a senior.

“It was such a great feeling just seeing how the seniors really enjoyed the event. They thanked us and they were happy,” he said.

The second group addressed other youth like themselves who need community services. They invited another 20 young people and did a presentation on services in the community, including food banks, health services, settlement services,  employment support, shelters and how to apply for University and Colleges in the area. The youth were also invited to join future Salvation Army Newcomers Youth Leadership Building programs.

The third group decided to support home-based small businesses with under 4 employees. Team participant 17-year-old Shahd Alkadi says when they surveyed the public about community needs, many people talked about struggling small businesses. The youth hosted a carnival in May in the church parking lot and invited 10 small business to sell their products. Each business received a table space to sell their products and free business cards created by youth participants. The event also had games and activities for families.

“Through this project we learned a lot about teamwork as well as leadership skills, stewardship, brainstorming strategies and how to communicate effectively,” said Shahd.

The long-term goal of the program is to encourage the youth to keep attending a lasting Youth Group at the church every Wednesday evening and continue to develop friendships.

“The goal is really about building intentional relationships,” said Mirna. “It is also about seeing the change in youth and the friendships they build, the smiles and the fun they are having. The intent was for them to find somewhere they belong.”

Twenty-two-year-old program participant Jaweeria Sardar says the most memorable moments for her involved meeting new people and working on a project of this scope for the first time.

“We are all newcomers to Canada that have only been here a year or two, so we got to share information and resources,” said Jaweeria. “In the beginning we didn’t know anyone but after the team building activities we knew so many new people and we spoke to each other about how things are in different countries.”

Most of the participants agree they will continue to come to youth group on Wednesday evenings.

“Yes I will still come to youth group especially since I want to invite my friend to try this out. My younger sister will be in high school next year and I really want her to come because it was such a fun experience,” said Shahd.

Mirna says she hopes youth will help lead the projects next year and get involved in fundraising to keep it going. They will be taught by the church’s fundraising coordinator through training sessions on how to accomplish that.

For more information or to get involved please contact The Salvation Army Mississauga Community Church at (905) 279-3941.

By: Caroline Franks