May 2009 updates:
1. Imagine A Community: Deadline Fast Approaching!
The deadline for this round of Imagine A Community Contest is Saturday May 30th, 2009. There will be no extensions, so send your completed application to coordinator@bycav.com. Best of Luck!
2. Change of Office Address
We have moved to Suite 611, 21 Sussex Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1J6. For those of you who visited our old office, we are still in the same building (21 Sussex), and the same floor (6th floor). We also regret to inform you that our new space is wheelchair inaccessible. There are meeting rooms in the building which are wheelchair accessible where all our meetings will take place.
We are also in the process of connecting our new telephone number. For now, you can direct all BYCAV related inquiries to info@bycav.com
3. Ongoing Summit Planning Meetings
See Calendar for dates. Meetings are at the BYCAV office. Youth are reimbursed with TTC tokens for attending.
Come and help us plan our next summit. Bring your ideas and creativity to assist us with the what our next theme should be, where it should be held and which guest speakers should be in attendance. All are welcome to attend. Also, youth who attend more than two meetings become BYCAV members.
4. Imagine A Community Proposal Writing Session
May 21, 2009 @ BYCAV Office- 6pm to 8pm
For those who entered or would like to submit a proposal for the Imagine A Community contest, we will be holding a proposal writing session. There will be instructions on how to write a complete and thorough as well as an excellent proposal. This would allow contestants to have a better chance of winning the competition and provide all those who attend with more of an idea of what our judges are looking for in a community proposal idea. There will be information also on how to allocate funds when preparing a budget and being realistic with your goals of the project money wise. You must RSVP by May 19th to take part.
5. Join the Conversation: BYCAV Facebook Group
Wanna speak your mind, share your thoughts and propose good ideas? On this website, you will not find blogs or opinion editorials, because that's not what we do. If you're interested in sharing your ideas, you could do that by joining the BYCAV facebook group- "Black Youth Coalition Against Violence (BYCAV)".
6. Steering Committee Vacancies
We have two director positions vacant. Please email chairperson@bycav.com if you are interested in a Steering Committee position. Also, you can inquire about the positions by calling the office or asking steering committee members during any of the meetings you attend. All youth are welcome to apply!
7. BYCAV 101
See Calendar for upcoming dates
Entering into the month of March BYCAV is launching a new workshop entitled BYCAV 101 "The Truth". BYCAV plans to have these workshops as a means of educating and empowering underserved youth in the priority neighbourhoods. Through workshops facilitated by BYCAV, we will provide resources and education unavailable to these youth on a regular basis on issues important to them. Our workshops will allow youth to ask the questions they dare not ask adults or authority figures and empower them to think critically and create solutions for themselves and their communities.
We at BYCAV believe that educating youth and encouraging a safe atmosphere of unity and understanding for youth while providing them with activities that are positive where they learn from, share and cooperate with others is necessary for Toronto to become a less violent and more inclusive space for all.