Presented By Zeeta Maharaj M Ed Project Coordinator

Presented By: Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed Project Coordinator Nadine Collins, Taking Hold Animator Tessa Star, Taking Hold Animator Date: Friday, March 20, 2015

� Introduction �A Little About Myself � About the Black Community Resource Center Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Taking Hold 2

� About the Taking Hold Project �Group Dynamics �Importance to have cohesive group �Vetting � History Life – Expressin’ Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Taking Hold � La. Salle Community Comprehensive High School (LBPSB) � Beurling Academy (LBPSB) � Marymount (EMSB) � Westmount (EMSB) � John F. Kennedy (EMSB) � John Paul I (EMSB) � Rosemount (EMSB) 3

• Criteria � How Participants Were Identified Input from school � Best resources – Guidance Counselors, FSST, � Teacher recommendations � Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Taking Hold 4

� Honest Approach �Students may be resistant �Honing and developing leaders � Using skill set resulting in positive outcomes Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Taking Hold 5

� Sisterhood �Modeling �Community � Using outreach Guest Speakers Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Taking Hold 6

� School Board Acceptance �Be tenacious �Ask for meetings �Timing is key (Beginning of school year) �Staff meetings Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Takin’ Hold 7

� Program Highlights � Acceptance into the LBPSB �Long seated relationship with EMSB was allowed access to two LBPSB schools. �Relationship building � Weekly Sessions � 7 sessions in 4 days �Indicates level of commitment Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Taking Hold 8

� Tessa � Nadine �Winning the GAF Grant �How did it go yesterday Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Taking Hold 9

� Strategically curate your advisory board � Best way to learn what other community members in related field are doing �Cross referencing and helping each other § Models the sisterhood and healthy relationships Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Takin’ Hold 10

� Community Building �Network �Ask school’s about other resources �Read staff/community board �Humility Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Takin’ Hold 11

� Hurdles � Being from the BCRC doesn’t limit the involvement of the program to minority or Black youth only. � Having schools understand that was the first step in getting in. Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Takin’ Hold 12

� Support � Volunteers �Tessa (Last year -now animator) �Amanda �community building Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Taking Hold 13

� Art Work �Cathartic �Expressive �Unique �Fun �Animators get to play too (Human) Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Taking Hold 14

� Thank You � Closing Remarks �Tessa and Nadine �Community Partners �GAF initiatives and resources Zeeta Maharaj, M. Ed for BCRC Taking Hold 15