Spice Youth Walkathon 2017

It’s about that time again. A time that we come together as a community to celebrate, socialize and most importantly raise funds for causes dear to us.

Youth & Healthcare

Everyday, at least one child in Grenada goes to school tummy empty, without the necessary school books and supplies. For us that is one too many.

We are determined to make a difference and we hope you will join us to support the cause.

No child should ever walk alone. It takes a community to raise a child.

On July 23 bring your family and friends to join us as we walk so that our children never have to feel like they are alone. Funds raised will help provide access to food, clothing, school and medical supplies for children and families who are walking alone.

For only $20 you can STEP UP for a child in need.

I’m ready – Are you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2016) Spice Youth making a difference for a brighter future

IMPACT STORY – Warm smiles and thank you’s from the Principal, Staff and Students of the River Salle Government School upon receipt of the donation of backpacks in time for the new school year.
In July, Spice Youth Toronto along with several other active Grenadian organizations and interested individuals in the Toronto area and the Consul General participated in a President’s initiative to supply backpacks to the River Sallee Government School – this is the happy result.

(2014) Spice Youth donate toys to the Sickle cell association of Grenada children’s christmas party

Now in its second year, our toy drive kicked of at the end of September. Members collected toys, books and school supplies for needy families in Grenada. On packing day we had accumulated 40 school bags filled with school supplies, two boxes loose supplies, notebooks, pens, geometry sets etc and one box toys for children aged 3 -12.

The first shipment was donated to the Sickle Cell Association of Grenada under 12 Children’s Christmas Party. Member Hannah Budhlall was on hand to make the delivery to the kids along with Santa Claus! A great time was had by all.

The second shipment will be disbursed through the Ministry of Social Development. The handing over will take place in Grenada in January. President Trisha Mitchell and members Dwight Darius and Hannah Budhlall will be on hand to make the delivery. Toy collection will continue throughout the year with a goal to have at least three shipments per year. Persons

who wish to donate should contact the organization at spiceyouthtoroto@gmail.com.

Special thanks to our shipping sponsor for the second year running PJP Exporting!

We truly appreciate your ongoing support.

Thanks to all who contributed time and donated items to make this annual effort another success!

(2015) Spice Youth Toronto donates school supplies to over 40 students in Grenada

For immediate release
St. George’s, Grenada – January 2015

On Monday January 5th, 2015, the start of the new school term, over 40 students and their teachers were the recipients of backpacks and various school supplies donated by Toronto based Grenadian youth group, Spice Youth Toronto Community Initiative. On hand to make the presentations were co-founder and President Trisha Mitchell and member Dwight Darius. The schools selected were: St. Joseph’s RC, Crochu RC, Corinth Government, Calliste Government, Springs school and the Westerhall Secondary School. Items included school bags, pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, scientific calculators, dictionaries, binders and file paper among other stationery items valued at over $1,500CAD.

This is not the first time the organization, which has been in existence since 2010, has made donations to the island. In 2011 they donated a projector and screen to the Ministry of Youth for the Trade Centre and in 2012-13, toys to the Grenada Sickle Cell Association.

Of the donation, Ms Mitchell indicated that her group was proud to continue to demonstrate that youth can make a difference in the lives of other youth despite the circumstances. Mr Adams, Principal of Springs School in accepting the donation, registered his gratitude for the assistance in making his students better and indicated that the back packs and supplies would be put to good use.

For more information on the group, or to donate, please visit their website at www.spiceyouthtoronto.com or email spiceyouthtoronto@gmail.com

2015 Spice Youth Walkathon raises over $5,000 for Grenada’s healthcare

Double the impact – Over $6,000 raised, 2 Ultra-sound machines

On Sunday July 12th, 2015 Spice Youth Toronto hosted the 2nd Annual Spice Youth Walk-a-thon (Walk for Life) in support of the Grenada Hospitals Assistance Fund (GHAF) Special Equipment Fund campaign.

The goal of the Special Equipment Fund is to purchase specialized medical equipment for hospitals and healthcare clinics on the islands of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique. First on the list was an ultra-sound machine valued at 20,000CAD for the Princess Alice Hospital.

As at time of penning this note we have counted $5,553 in funds collected with pledge sheets still outstanding. Thank you for helping us surpass our goal of $5,000!!  This adds to last year’s total of $3000.

We are elated to announce that donations have exceeded the GHAF’s expectations, helping the organization to purchase not one, but two Ultra-sound machines – Double the impact!! The second machine will be donated to Princess Royal Hospital on our sister isle of Carriacou.

The executive and members of Spice Youth Toronto and the Grenada Hospitals Assistance Fund(GHAF) would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all of you who supported, contributed to and/or participated in the Spice Youth Walk in support of this cause. We look forward to your support as we continue our efforts to contribute to the development of our homeland Grenada.

For information on how you can become part of the Walk-a-thon planning team or volunteer for the 2016 event, please contact Walk-a-thon Chair, Trisha Mitchell at 647-203-5957 or via email at spiceyouthtoronto@gmail.com.

(2014) Spice Youth Toronto raises $3,000CAD for Grenada’s healthcare system

For Immediate Release:

Toronto, Canada – September 18, 2014 – On Saturday September 6th, members of Spice Youth Toronto Community Initiative (SYTCI) handed over a cheque worth $3,000 to the Grenada Hospitals Assistance Fund (GHAF). The funds represent the proceeds of the first Spice Youth Walkathon hosted on behalf of the GHAF on July 20. Titled ‘One Community. One Goal. Better Healthcare’ the goal of the event was to raise funds and awareness to support the delivery of better healthcare in Grenada.

The funds will be the first contribution to the GHAF’s ‘Special Equipment Fund’ set up to facilitate the purchase of specialized medical equipment for Grenada. Items include an Ultra-sound machine for the Princess Alice Hospital and an Anesthesia machine for the General Hospital. The goal is to raise $20, 000 by the end of 2015.
The gem for this idea was born at a SYTCI general meeting in 2013, when members expressed deep concern for the state of healthcare in Grenada. Through subsequent discussions, a decision was made to select the GHAF as the recipient of our annual charitable efforts for 2014. The GHAF, a Grenadian charitable organization based in Cambridge, has a mandate to support the delivery of better healthcare in Grenada through the purchase of medical equipment and supplies, hence the selection.

Co-Founder/President of SYTCI, Trisha Mitchell says “This was a really proud and special moment for us as a team. We are dedicated to making an impact and what better cause than to contribute to keeping our friends and loved ones healthy?”
In thanking the organization, President of the GHAF, Mr. Mansfield Lambert indicated his deep appreciation for the work of the members of SYTCI in championing this cause and pledged to continue working for the betterment of Grenada.

Persons wishing to donate to the cause can still make a donation online at http://www.chimp.net/give (search Spice Youth).

About Spice Youth Toronto Community Initiative
Founded in 2010, Spice Youth Toronto Community Initiative (SYTCI) is a community youth organization dedicated to creating a vibrant network of youth of Grenadian descent in the Toronto area who are engaged, empowered and excited about giving back to community. We do this through the provision of empowering self-development workshops, cultural social events and charitable initiatives. Learn more at http://www.spiceyouthtoronto.com
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Media Contact:
Trisha Mitchell
Spice Youth Toronto Community Initiative/Walkaton Chair
spiceyouthtoronto@gmail.com/ 647-203-5957

(2015) SYT Launches Adopt-A-Child program

SPICE YOUTH ADOPT-A-CHILD PROJECT

In keeping with our charitable and youth development mission, we have developed an exciting new program, an evolution of our annual Toy drive which provided toys to youth in Grenada in 2013 & 2014, The Spice Youth Adopt-A-Child program takes our mission one step further.

Working along with the Ministry of Social Development, we have identified and ‘adopted’ approximately 10 youth, ages 0 – 15years who are in need, for a period of 3-5years. Our goal is to provide these youth and their families,’ assistance with school, hygiene and food supplies along with transportation assistance (for school) where applicable.

Under this project, SYT will channel fundraising activities over the next 3-5 years and solicit sponsors to contribute to:

Education: Through books, uniforms, transportation allowances, school feeding programs and school supplies
Food: By providing access to sustainable food supplies and nutrition to help children grow
Quality of Life: By providing clothing and toiletries to improve the well-being of children in the household

We believe our future lies in the hands of our children. Through this initiative we hope to open a new world of possibilities to contribute to the lives of these children and their communities, offering them a brighter future. With the support of the community, we partner with the child and their family to transform a struggling family into one that is thriving.

This program is a tangible investment in the future of Grenada – one child, one family at a time.

Program execution:

Spice Youth Toronto will coordinate three (3) shipments of care packages to the selected children/families per year (August, December, and April). Packages will vary based on the needs of the child and/or household. Special needs such as transportation for school, school feeding programs or home repair will be coordinated directly with service providers.

Accountability – How are the children selected?
Children are recommended by the Ministry of Social Services and submitted to Spice Youth Toronto. Each recommendation goes through a rigorous vetting process by a committee consisting of SYT members, community leaders and professionals to assess eligibility, need and type of support to be provided.

For more information on this program please contact program coordinator Kimron Corion at 647-895-5604 or email spiceyouthtoronto@gmail.com.

Amazing Opportunity for YOUTH in I.T. – PAID internship & Job placement program

ABOUT: NPower connects youth from underserved communities to careers in information technology.

In partnership with Accenture, Cisco, CivicAction, TD and United Way, we are recruiting GTA youth for the 1st class of Technology Service Corps (TSC), our free IT skills training, paid internship and job placement program. Ryerson University is hosting our program at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Yonge and Dundas. We are welcoming enrollment from high school/GED graduates between the ages of 18 to 25 who are eligible to work in Canada.

Here is a quick snapshot of the program:

NPower Canada Technology Service Corps (TSC)

√ Offered at no cost to participants

√ Employer-driven, industry-certified

and market-responsive

√ Access to skilled entry-level jobs that lead to meaningful careers

√ 80%+ of graduates employed and/or

in higher education

Benefits to Students

Hard Skills Training Designed by CISCO and Delivered at Ryerson

Access to Meaningful and Sustainable Work

CISCO IT Essentials Including:

· Preparation for A+ certification

· Network and systems administration

· Hardware and software fundamentals, installation, troubleshooting and repair

· Mobile and desktop user support

· Website design and maintenance

· Telecomm installation and troubleshooting

· Professional skills development

· Job placement services

· Paid professional internships

· Individual mentoring from industry professionals

· Job retention support, ongoing professional mentoring, alumni networking and additional certification paths for up to 2 years post-hire

Program Specs

Who is eligible?

Youth between 18 to 25 years of age who have completed high school or their GED and are

legally entitled to work in Canada

When and where?

Ryerson University, Mondays to Fridays, p/t from 9 AM to 1 PM

22 weeks including 15 weeks in the classroom and 7-week paid internships

1st class begins Monday, November 3rd

Class Size

Seats are limited to 25 participants due to high level of teamwork, interaction and customized individual supports

Apply Now

Application Process

Applicants must:

1. Attend an NPower Canada Information Session

2. Obtain a Letter of Recommendation and write a Letter of Intent

3. Complete online application

4. Meet with program staff for individual interviews, skills testing and behavioural assessments

Application Due Date

Students must apply to join our November class no later than Friday, October 4th – early applications are strongly encouraged due to class size restrictions

View brochure here NPower Canada TSC Overview Brochure August 2014

Community Survey! Please take a moment to let us know how we are doing.

Dear youth,

You are the reason we do what we do. Therefore, ever so often we need to for your input. We have therefore created a short survey to hear your thoughts. Please take a moment to let us know been doing so far and what we could be doing to better serve you. At Spice Youth Toronto we believe that we, the youth are the ones who should shape our own destinies.

Kindly take a few minutes to complete this survey to help us plan events/programs which you need. The questions are designed to facilitate a better understanding of your needs. All responses will be kept strictly confidential and only summary measures and conclusions will be reported. Your participation in this survey is greatly appreciated.

Click the photo below to access survey.

Many thanks!

Team SYTCI

Click here for survey

 

‘Dedicated to creating an integrated network of Grenadian/Caribbean youth in Toronto’

Thank You & All the Best for 2013!

The Executive & Members of Spice Youth Toronto Community Initiative wishes to extend special Thank You’s to all who have contributed in whatever way to the experiences of the two years since our inception. You have made this journey worthwhile and we look forward to evolving with you into 2013 and beyond!

Here’s a quick look at what your contributions have helped us to achieve.

Seasons Greetings & All the Best for 2013!

TEAM SYTCI