“Using the LEAD values—Listen, Empathize, Act, and Drive—we empower all youth across Canada (Turtle Island) with self-confidence, character, and hope to lead positive change in themselves and their communities.” youthLEADarts Inc Mission Statement.
If the week-long LEAD program at Britannia Elementary in Vancouver were a play, the First Act laid the groundwork for the youth’s journeys as heroes. The result, after three acts, (spoiler alert) resulted in our young heroes, in their own words, affirming their individual super powers, discovering higher self-confidence and creatively leading the way to positive change in themselves and their communities. The captions accompanying each photo come from the youth themselves.
In the first two days, youth actively embraced LEAD values with myself through drama, art and photography and experienced Candice Hall Howcroft’s teachings around the Medicine Wheel. She addressed our roles in community as we participate in the great canoe voyage known as life. We paddle together as equals and go where we are needed.
“I feel more positive in my life. I learned to take risks.”
The Second Act was deep and transformational. Two and a half days were spent collaboratively and individually learning the art of photography with David Lyle, telling stories from behind a lens and capturing how youth feel about themselves and their community, stories that are full of hope, wonder, concern and resilience. David himself commented, “I was so proud to see them succeed by learning, experimenting, working together, and supporting each other this week. They have taken the opportunity to embrace true life skills at such a pivotal age.” The four photos below were taken and edited by Britannia youth during their week with the LEAD team.
The Third Act, with Damian Rumph featured a morning of lots of fast paced improvisational games to develop ease and confidence of speaking. In the afternoon youth hosted an Open Studio where they displayed and addressed their framed self-portraits and photos of their community. The event was attended by over 100 people. The youth talked until their mouths went dry…and there was hardly a dry eye as they spoke about their community in its beauty and its brokenness, its inner-city chaos and light.
In their teacher’s words, “This experience was one that will truly resonate with them for the rest of their lives.”
LEAD is not over! Youth are driving forward and will be selling their prints at community events to raise funds for future programs such as youthLEADarts in their class and enrichment programs in their community. LEAD will be back at Britannia this spring to continue empowering youth with an afterschool program. Look for details in future blogs!