The Amani Effect Drop-In

Hosted By: Dolly R.

Program For Ages: 10 to 29 Years Old

Project Summary:

The Amani Effect is a youth-led initiative whose purpose is to connect Black youths in Ottawa, between the ages of 15 to 30 years old, with safe spaces, cultural reconnection, wellness, self-expression, and making genuine connections through holistic workshops and programming. With this specific project, we want to offer a drop-in program that will provide various workshops such as creative writing, cultural cooking, and African drumming workshops. We use creativity, wellness, and culture as tools for personal growth, coping mechanisms, and community building for the youths.

Contributing To An Inclusive Canada

To be an inclusive Canada, one needs to see oneself reflected in the services, service providers/facilitators, and all aspects of the various environments and systems they encounter in their lives; often that is not what Black youths in Ottawa experience. This is why it is important to create safe spaces for Black youth which is what The Amani Effect is trying to achieve with this project. No matter who we are or what the color of our skin is, we all deserve to know and experience healthy communities, love, support, and self-expression.

Through programs and workshops focusing on wellness and culture, we hope to address inclusivity. Our program builds a more inclusive Canada because it looks into bridging the gaps for Black youths to be in a healthy environment and community and have the tools to strive. Providing and giving access to programs, spaces, tools, and resources at low to no cost makes it more accessible for Black youth to learn about themselves and this will translate into their daily lives and well-being.