SBL has been in existence since 2010 and since that time hundreds of students have completed our various social and academic programs – all based on our our growth model where students progress from mentee (in 8^th and 9^th grade) to volunteer (in 10^th grade) and to mentor in their latter years of high school. Students are supported by SBL just before the start of high school and throughout these important and formative years. The relationships staff have with SBL alumni does not end when students go on to Post-Secondary Education, many come back in various capacities (board members, paid tutors, volunteers, recreational staff, staff members).

On Saturday January, 4, 2014, SBL will bring together previous mentors that are now in college and university for a day full of workshops, food and fun activities. The purpose will be to explore some of the success and challenges that mentors have faced in their first year of post-secondary education. The day will focus on how SBL can further support their educational goals.  Workshops will be conducted that examine funding, time management, social life and networking, course load, and life after post-secondary education. The workshops will be facilitated by SBL teacher Samuel Tecle and SBL Teacher/Academic and Social Co-ordinator Tesfai Mengesha.

The summer is an exciting time for SBL. Our 6-week summer program takes place at York University, where students going into grade 9 receive their first high school credit. This year the summer program was hosted in the stunningly beautiful Osgoode Hall Law School. For a full recap you can download our summer report below.

sbl-SummerReport-vfinal

SBL Program Manager, Kaneka Watkins is currently attending the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) in Detroit. The conference brings together NABSE members, superintendents, principals, school board members, education human resource professionals, deans, professors, education department heads, administrative/educational support staff, teachers, parents, curriculum specialists and students for various education workshops and tours of schools in Detroit. Below are some pictures of the conference.

See the agenda here:

http://www.cvent.com/events/national-alliance-of-black-school-educators-41st-annual-conference/agenda-c2f6da49609a447b8ec38750ac5b05c3.aspx

York University graduate student and SBL teacher Sam Tecle has been honoured with the  North York Mirror’s Urban Hero Award, for his notable contribution to education and for being a role model for youth living in the Jane and Finch community. 

“I am blessed, honoured and humbled by this award. The recognition serves as a validation of my work and motivation to continue on,” says Tecle who is a doctoral candidate in sociology, in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies.

“For me, it was always an idea that where I lived and the community I was part of, that giving back was important. And for me, that was always through education,” Tecle told The Mirror, upon receiving the award.

“I am thrilled that Sam is a recipient of this respected award, which honours grassroots level heroes for their efforts, sacrifices and contributions, having positive impact on our communities,” says York Faculty of Education Professor Carl James, who is Tecle’s PhD supervisor and nominator for the award. “Sam is an example of the many students doing exemplary work through involvement in neighbourhood community initiatives at York University.”

This summer, Tecle taught Grade 9 students from the Jane and Finch community attending a six-week program, Success Beyond Limits. The program is a joint initiative of York University and Jays Care Foundation, in partnership with the Toronto District School Board. Sponsored by the Faculty of Education, the program was conducted in technology enhanced classrooms of Osgoode Hall Law School.

The Sudanese-born immigrant of Eritrean descent has been a youth facilitator, focusing on educational attainment, sex education, as well as personal and career development with many community organizations across the Greater Toronto Area. Tecle was among the 16 recipients, in the categories of arts and culture, health and science, education, sports, environment, business and community, who received their awards at a ceremony, Nov. 5.

http://yfile.news.yorku.ca/2013/11/12/york-university-student-is-celebrated-as-an-urban-hero/

As Hip Hop further entrenches itself in the academy, its use in the classroom is becoming more prevalent. SBL’s Academic and Social Coordinator, Tesfai Mengesha has been a part of the process of developing a Hip Hop Curriculum, in the role of a writer. The Hip Hop Curriculum has been developed through a partnership with the Toronto District School Board, Educational Attainment West, and the Toronto Hip Hop community.

On November 4, 2013 members of the project presented elements of the curriculum to an eager group of York University teacher candidates. The curriculum provides students with the opportunity to bring their lived experiences into the classroom to make the lessons meaningful through their analysis of various media forms. The lessons explore and critically examined schools, communities, economic structures, homophobia, race, class and gender norms.

The SBL growth model envisions students going from mentee to volunteer to mentor. For Japjit Singh his journey had a gap.  In the summer of 2009, Japjit Singh was a mentee in our summer program. As the school year came around, he retreated away from many of the extra curricular activities Westview had to offer including the SBL after-school program. It wasn’t until this past summer Japjit found himself searching for a co-op placement.

Although SBL had already hired all the mentors and the volunteer positions were full, SBL program manager, Kaneka Watkins decided to interview him. Impressed by his maturity and sense of responsibility during the interview, Japjit became the Volunteer Coordinator – tasked with training and overseeing all volunteer duties for the summer program, a position previously designated for senior mentors.

Prior to the summer Japjit described himself as reclusive and reserved. “I didn’t think I’d like working with kids. I used to think working alone was the best option. Now I actually welcome an environment with other people. I didn’t consider myself an interpersonal type of person. Working with SBL I was able to express myself in words and speech rather than being a shy and an introverted person.” He goes on to say “I didn’t realize how much I loved working with kids, it is a role I can help others and be myself.”

Japjit has now transitioned from co-op student/volunteer during this past summer into the role of mentor. Going into his final year of high school, Japit is most looking forward to “advancing within the SBL organization, taking on more responsibility and continuing to grow.”

Describe your journey with SBL?

It started out in middle school when they came to Oakdale  and told us about the program, I was like, “whoa something to do as a student for the summer.”  Being at Westview, I lost touch with the program at first.  Then my whole grade 11 year, I wasn’t the best student and had issues/problems. SBL surrounded me with people that helped to motivate me. I would of probably been at home being depressed watching movies and not talking to anyone. Once I got support, I began volunteering.  Leading up to the summer, all of the mentor positions were filled, but based on what I was doing with the school year program, there was a way to get involved as Volunteer Coordinator.

Describe experience during the summer?

Amazing, I didn’t realize how much I love working with kids, a role where I can help others and be yourself. Being in a job where you rely less on following direct orders and straight following the cookie cutter directions, but get to make decisions, apply your own creativity, and think on your feet was great.

Describe your most memorable moment during the summer?

Waking up every single day and being to say good morning with a smile on my face. Having a reason to smile every morning. I’m not always the most visibly happiest person, but working with SBL made me really happy.

Growth as a person?

I didn’t think I’d like working with kids. I used to think working alone is the best option. I now actually welcome an environment with other people – more minds are better.

I didn’t consider myself an interpersonal type of person. Working with SBL, I was able to express myself in words and speech rather than being shy and introverted person.

Success Beyond Limits Education Program

Job Description

Youth Outreach Worker (YOW)

Program Overview:  The Success Beyond Limits Education Program is a non-profit organization based in the Jane-Finch community.  Success Beyond Limits works around the calendar delivering both a school year program at Westview Centennial Secondary School and a summer program at York University for students from Brookview Middle School and Oakdale Park School. We incorporate credits, mentorship, employment, nutrition, recreation, access to resources, exposure to new experiences, collaboration, and advocacy into our support of students.

The position of YOW reports to: Executive Director and works in coordination with the entire staff team.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

Hours: Full-time

Contract: November 2013 to June 2014

Position Summary:  This position provides a range of outreach services to individuals, families and groups to enhance or maintain youth functioning in the community. This position carries responsibility for prevention, early intervention, program development and community outreach services with youth and families under the auspices of the provincial Youth Outreach Worker Program.

Click below link for full posting details

SBL Youth Outreach Worker Posting

SBL Mentor, Princess organized a surprise birthday celebration for fellow Mentor Shukri. Here are some pictures of the SBL family celebrating.

We catch a ride to the city’s biggest community hip-hop fest with a group of youngsters and hear about suburban alienation blues.

The beginning of the school year is an exciting time for SBL. It’s a time to re-connect with the incoming grade 9s and transition back into our youth space at Westview.  This year we’re in a bigger space, which presents us with the opportunity to re-design it.   With minimal resources but a lot of love and creativity among the SBL family, together we have begun re-creating our youth space. Here are some pictures: