About

OUR STORY

Approximately seven years ago, a group of Black-led/Black-focused organizations came together and, in 2016, created the Black Youth School Success Initiative BYSSI in response to one of the recommendations from the FACES report. The intention was to influence and change the experiences and life trajectory of Black Youth in the education sector in Peel. BYSSI’s wraparound services offer culturally appropriate academic support, including tutoring, after-school programming, one-on-one case management, clinical support, mentorship, and specialty workshops/programming. Our model has been successful enough to be replicated by United Way of Greater Toronto’s YSSI program in York Region and in Toronto.

OUR VISION

To provide culturally relevant prevention and intervention programs that holds the students and their families at the center. Programming that recognizes that it is the system that must change and does not victimize/blame the student. That there is increased capacity of Black led/focused community organizations empowered and supported to respond to growing needs.

OUR MISSION

To support Black children and youth to stay engaged in school and have access to resources to prepare them for university, college and work. To ensure that Black youth and children are physically, mentally, and emotionally well, safe, engaged in meaningful opportunities and are connected. To anticipate, address and prevent challenges faced by marginalized children and youth by providing culturally appropriate counseling, workshops, mentoring and leadership opportunities to advance their educational and employment goals.