Empowering the Immigrant Youth in Canada

On March 10 and 11, Kababayan Multicultural Centre (KMC) in partnership with Catholic Crosscultural Services (CCS), hosted NextGen Youth Summit at Scarborough Civic Centre. This two-day event was made possible with funding from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). With their generous support, we were able to create a safe and empowering space for racialized newcomer and immigrant youth.

The summit brought together a dynamic mix of speakers, industry professionals, emerging youth immigrant leaders, nonprofit organizations, and universities and colleges from the Greater Toronto Area. With engaging workshops, networking opportunities, and powerful discussions, the youth had an opportunity to celebrate culture, embrace their own identities, connect with peers, and strengthen their sense of belonging in Canada.

Bringing Together Youth and Community

The summit successfully gathered 85 unique clients and 112 youths in two days. They had the opportunity to meet 18 community partner organizations, which include CCS, The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO), YMCA of Greater Toronto, Centre for Immigrant & Community Services (CICS), Strides Toronto, Toronto Public Library, Toronto Youth Cabinet, JVS Toronto, Culture Link, The Career Foundation, Youth Assisting Youth, Toronto Catholic District School Board, University of Toronto, York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, Centennial College, Seneca Polytechnic, and Epic Generation.

Words of Encouragement from Community Leaders

KMC’s Executive Director, Rizza Solis, officially commenced the summit with encouraging words to the youth participants and deep gratitude to the individuals and organizations who made the event possible. Her opening remarks set the stage for what the attendees can expect at the summit—powerful conversations, connections, and workshops designed to uplift and empower them.

Following her was our keynote speaker, Hanen Nanaa, founder of Books Arts Music (BAM) Collective. Hanen shared her story of resilience as a refugee from Syria, encouraging participants to embrace vulnerability as a source of strength.

“I found that the more that I accept vulnerability, I talk about it, I share it with others, I become more resilient and prepared to face life’s challenges.”

She concluded her speech by empowering everyone to be aware of the privilege they have here in Canada and to take advantage of the opportunities and even the challenges they encounter.

“There will be feedback and criticism, healthy criticism — take it, learn from that, and invest in yourself... remember to always tell people, and believe in it, that your voice matter, your story matter, and your lived experience matter.”

Day two opened with practical advice from KMC’s Vice Chairperson, Veronica Javier, reminding everyone that Toronto is filled with opportunities even for immigrants.

“Your school may have incredible, incredible settlement workers who understand what it's like to be new to Canada and connect you with the right resources... I encourage you to reach out, ask questions, and take advantage of everything available to you... But most importantly, I want you to believe in yourself.”

CCS’s Executive Director, Claudio Ruiz Pilarte, followed up with a powerful message on perseverance.

“There are going to be barriers... but never let that distract you... Remember this, there will be many people before you who experienced the same hardships and tribulations, you're not the only one... so always remember that you have to be resilient, you have to be able to confront the difficulties in life, and never get your sight off the objectives that you have.”

A highlight of the summit was the panel discussion, “Empowered Journeys, Stories of Immigrant Youth,” hosted by author and teen talk show host Gloriane Baricuatro. It featured immigrant youth leaders, John Segui and Amanda Singh of KMC, Naicey Portus of TYC, and Paula Sofía, singer-songwriter, as its panelists. Together, they shared their unique immigrant stories highlighting personal experiences and challenges they faced as they navigated cultural integration, identity, and belonging in a new country. Their stories resonated with the audience and fostered a sense of solidarity and strength among participants.

Interactive Workshops

Both days of the summit featured hands-on workshops exploring self-identity, cultural diversity, and community.

Getting to Know Canada — Led by CICS and TNO, students had the chance to learn more about Canada’s rich culture and diverse communities.
Cultural Exchange — Facilitated by CCS, and KMC’s placement students, the youth gained insight into various traditions, customs, and worldviews through interactive activities and games.
Self-Identity / Cultural Pride — A YMCA-led session promoted self-awareness, confidence, and the celebration of diversity, while encouraging participants to honour their cultural roots.
Coping with Change — Delivered by Strides Toronto, participants learned techniques for building resilience, adapting to new environments, and maintaining a positive mindset during challenging times.
Mental Health & Art — A creative and unique session by CCS exploring mindfulness and the therapeutic benefits of art.
Fish Tanning Presentation — The summit ended with a unique presentation by Karennotakies Barnes from the Mohawks of Akwesasne on fish tanning—the art of turning fish skin into durable leather. The youth saw firsthand her finished works and had the opportunity to learn more about the importance of preserving this tradition and culture from the Indigenous population in Canada.

Your Story Matters as an Immigrant Youth

Throughout the summit, a common theme emerged—your story matters. From workshops to conversations, racialized newcomer and immigrant youth were reminded of the power in their unique identities and lived experiences. New friendships were made, support systems were built, and many participants left with a renewed sense of pride, purpose, and belonging.

A huge shoutout to all the youth leaders, volunteers, community partners, and guest speakers who made this summit possible. Your time, energy, and passion truly made this event unforgettable.

And a special thank you to our major partner, Catholic Crosscultural Services (CCS), for their ongoing collaboration and commitment to empowering racialized newcomer and immigrant youth. Their support and contribution to NextGen Youth Summit helped bring this event to life.

If you’re interested in joining our youth community, reach out to our youth counsellors, Shane Torres at storres@kababayan.org and Vince Tangco at vtangco@kababayan.org.