The City of Brantford recognizes Future Leaders during Youth Week event

BRANTFORD, ON – On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, the City of Brantford concluded National Youth Week with a graduation ceremony recognizing future leaders from the Youth Excellence Awards and Youth Leadership Development Program. The event was hosted at the Rope Factory Event Hall by the Brantford Youth Council, which is a City-led initiative to support youth in planning and implementing activities, special events and community impact projects.

Mayor Kevin Davis and Councillor Mandy Samwell were in attendance to support local youth serving organizations and collectives who awarded the 2024 Youth Excellence Award certificates. A total of 18 individuals from the City of Brantford were honoured for their outstanding contributions to well-being, growth, diversity and inclusion, community, leadership and impact. Awardees included:

Aidan Giroux
Alexandra “Lexi” Rose
Bailie Kinrade
Brooklyn McCulloch
Dennis Clark
Emily Mcknight
Jordyn McCormack
Kaelyn Kelly
Kira Pink
Maddisyn Challe
Malik Smith
Melissa Donison
Michael VanEvery
Mikey Homer
Paulina Krapels
Raiena Haque
Razvan Satmarean
Seth Cross

A number of youth serving organizations supported the event, including: Why Not City Mission, YMCA Hamilton-Burlington-Brantford, Brantford Pride, Wesley Youth Outreach Workers, SOAR, Grand River Community Health Centre, Brantford Native Housing, and the Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford CARE Lab

Certificates were also presented to graduates of the City of Brantford’s 2024 Youth Leadership Development Program, which is a two-level, leader-in-training program for youth that focuses on enhancing team building, effective communication, adapting leadership styles, and how to motivate and inspire people.

Attendees enjoyed visual art displays from local youth artists Yunji (Iris) Jeong, Kianna Hess, and Malak Ahmed and performances by local youth musicians Ritansh Thakkar, Aaron Sopko, Shaelee Shepphard, and Maddisyn Challe.

Youth interested in becoming involved in Brantford Youth Council can submit a Brantford Youth Council Application form or register for the City’s Youth Leadership Develop Programs at Brantford.ca/YOUth.

The City of Brantford is designated as a Youth Friendly City and initiatives such as the Youth Excellence Awards are a part of our Empowering Youth Strategy. The Empowering Youth Strategy was developed through extensive community engagement with local youth groups, youth advocates, and youth-serving agencies to empower local youth and support a youth-friendly community. Visit brantford.ca/YOUth for more information about the actions of the Empowering Youth Strategy, including the most up to date opportunities available for local youth.

Quotes

“I am incredibly proud of the Brantford Youth Council, who did an excellent job hosting various community events in honour of National Youth Week. Their hard work and dedication to creating meaningful change, developing leadership skills, and building a sense of community has not gone unrecognized.”
- Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis

“It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate the accomplishments of people in our community from ages 15 to 30,” said City of Brantford Community Initiatives Coordinator. The youth honoured at this event were recognized for an array of accomplishments including dynamic personal growth and their volunteer work related to food sovereignty and social inclusion. It was inspiring to amplify and honour what the young people in Brantford are accomplishing.”
- Taylor Berzins, Community Initiatives Coordinator, City of Brantford

Photo caption

Local musician Shaelee Shepphard performs during the graduation ceremony of the Youth Excellence Awards and Youth Leadership Development Program through the City of Brantford.

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Media Contact:
Kelly Page | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext. 5779 | kpage@brantford.ca