Canada gave me a safe home and a chance to start a new life. But adjusting was hard. I didn’t know the language, the people, or the culture.

I went to other community classes, but the fees were hard to afford. I am a pensioner, so I don’t have much money. Then I heard about YEP and I came here. I’ve been coming for two years now. Children are patient. I like learning from them.

One day, a young volunteer showed me an app that let me see my family. I got to see my sister’s face after 30 years. I can’t describe how that felt.

Now I know how to use a mobile phone, the internet, Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp, and even how to take a photo. I can talk to my sister and my niece back home, and I know how everyone in my country is doing.

He went from being a kid who was always called to the office to doing really well at school and taking part in at least three after-school programs. That’s the best part of being a YEP facilitator. I love seeing people’s progress from the time they join the program to when it ends.

My schedule is hectic, which makes it tough to keep facilitating, but something still makes me want to remain part of the YEP family. YEP keeps you humble. Sometimes, it makes me so emotional that I cry. It feels so great to be able to help others and see their progress. Being part of that gives you so much more than anything else.

At a graduation event at a school in Toronto’s Regent Park community, one student shared a letter on behalf of her cohort about what the experience meant to them:

“Throughout this journey of learning and sharing, we’ve discovered the true meaning of the power of mixed-aged connections. We were shy and we were nervous, and we weren’t sure if we would succeed. Your willingness to talk to us, to listen to us, and to learn alongside us, has been inspiring, and it made us realize what we are capable of doing. Thanks to you, we now call ourselves teachers.

Your presence has made an impact on us, teaching us valuable lessons of respect and patience. We will treasure the memories we made together, and we hope to continue building upon the bonds we’ve formed. We are happy to have met each one of you and look forward to more future lessons. Thank you for everything!”

For many of the young people we work with, YEP is their first leadership experience. Some face personal challenges, like a fear of public speaking, shyness, or getting frustrated easily. Through YEP, they get the chance to grow in confidence and discover what they’re capable of.

Working with youth wasn’t my first choice. But working with the kids in this program changed how I saw them, and it’s why I ended up working at YEP. For youth like these, it’s important to engage them, talk to them, and be there for them. When kids are difficult, the education system kind of quits on them.

The kids still swore and seemed disinterested at times, but changes were happening. Because we didn’t give up on them, they gained self-confidence and their attendance improved. One student said, “I like how the kids taught the teachers, because in class when they are teaching me, I sometimes feel dumb, and I don’t want to feel that. I want to teach somebody what they can learn from me.”

I’ve learned a lot too: to be more patient, how to be a better facilitator, and when to step back. Adults are used to taking the lead with a group of kids, but here the students take the lead. Even though it was challenging, the group of students we taught were hilarious.

I didn’t grow up with computers like young people today, so using one was scary for me.

Before YEP, I took a computer course in my neighbourhood. But the teacher had dozens of students, all at different levels, and I couldn’t get the help I needed. I felt defeated, so I left.

When I heard about YEP, I jumped at the chance. Here, I learn one-on-one. The young people grew up with this technology, so things that felt complicated quickly became simple. I’m still learning, and now I use the computer in my everyday life. I’m really happy to be learning from these young people.

I’m a facilitator of the YEP program at a local community health centre. What makes YEP different is that it’s mutually beneficial. A lot of summer and after-school programs are focused on helping students, but in this program, the students help somebody else. A lot of students are shy when they come in. But as we train them, they get comfortable, and now I see them just walk up to seniors and start a conversation.

One of the things I like most about YEP is meeting new people. I get to train the youth, who in turn teach the adults. It’s like a chain. It feels great to be a part of it.

I’m a big video gamer, so technology comes naturally to me. At YEP, I teach adults how to use a computer, a smartphone, Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp. Many seniors have never even heard of Facebook or WhatsApp. I believe it’s good for them to know the basic technology we have now.

They get excited after you help them and they’ve learned what to do. I can tell they’re happier.

YEP has helped me too. I feel happier and more confident talking to people than I did before, and I’m more patient and understanding toward others. What I like most? It makes me happy that they know how to do things on their own now.

Around the time I joined, my neighbourhood wasn’t safe at all. There were a lot of shootings. I remember reading that police counted something like 90 bullets across those shootings in just a few months. Our neighbourhood got a lot of bad press. I wanted to change how people saw where I live, do something positive, and be able to support other people.

Many adults can live here for many years and still feel like they just came to Canada. This program is taking steps in the right direction and getting them integrated into Canada.

I’ve helped four adults in my community, and I’ve grown up a lot along the way. For me, YEP isn’t just about helping adults. It lets youth feel valuable, and that creates leaders who can change the story of our community.