By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The annual Youth Inspire Community Day (YICD), hosted by Dare to Be Youth (DTBY)’s Community Youth Council, delivered an empowering experience for youth across Halton, Hamilton, and Peel regions. Held at Appleby College in Oakville, the event brought together dynamic workshops, engaging discussions, and the highly anticipated Python’s Pit competition, all centred on fostering leadership, innovation, and resilience.
YICD 2024 celebrated its theme, “Dare to Step Strong,” by connecting youth to their communities through workshops on equity and inclusion, leadership, and life skills. The event also highlighted financial wellness and mental health resilience, laying the groundwork for DTBY’s outreach programs that support youth in Halton Region.
The day kicked off with a series of workshops tailored to youth and educators. Sessions included “Your Brand Matters” by RBC’s Future Launch program, “Growing into Leadership” with Michelle Machado of Luminara Academy, and “Public Speaking” led by Geoff Conant of LINQ Agency. Youth explored topics like mental health with Kids Help Phone and Ria Datta, the skilled trades with HIEC, and sustainability in “Leading Change: Citizen Science and a Sustainable Future” by Sam Lewis. Educators benefited from workshops on somatic intelligence and cultivating nervous system awareness, led by leadership consultant Carolyn Swora, which emphasized the importance of self-awareness in leadership.
One of the standout moments of the day was the Python’s Pit, a live pitch competition for young entrepreneurs. Moderated by David Vaine, managing director of BNI Golden Horseshoe and Niagara, the competition featured an esteemed panel, including Joseph Apps of Joe Apps Technology Support, Baljeet Toki of Montagio Pty Ltd., Leena Sharma Seth of Mending the Chasm, and David Vaine himself. Participants included Dyanne Jiang and Myra Datta with their Waste Zero Project, Grace Shen with Game2Learn, and Ishaan Grotra with Ecodrop. Each pitch aimed to tackle real-world challenges, and all participants received $1,000 to advance their initiatives. Panelists offered invaluable advice, such as Toki’s emphasis on having an exit plan and Sharma Seth’s guidance on building partnerships aligned with shared values.
RBC played a significant role in this year’s event, with representatives Alex and Jen showcasing RBC Upskill, a platform leveraging AI for professional development and job searches. Their demo highlighted how AI, including tools like ChatGPT, launched in November 2022, is transforming career pathways for Canada’s youth by making job searching more efficient and accessible.
The day concluded with an inspiring address by RBC Olympian Brandon McBride during the dinner and show. Sharing his journey of dedication, hard work, and persistence, McBride encouraged students to “do what you love, chase your passion, and work very hard.” His story, coupled with his advice, left a lasting impression on the young attendees.
YICD 2024 exemplified DTBY’s mission to inspire and uplift youth by creating spaces for them to thrive. Events like YICD 2024 don’t just spark conversations—they ignite action, equipping youth with the tools, connections, and confidence to shape a better future for themselves and their communities.
