About Us
Our Approach
Preventing Violence and Empowering Youth, Starting in Grade 6
At Yo Bro | Yo Girl Youth Initiative, we focus on prevention—starting in Grade 6. We believe that waiting until Grade 8 is too late to take a proactive role in preventing violence in young lives. By engaging youth early, while they are still in elementary school, our staff and volunteer mentors aim to develop strong, healthy communities within schools, after-school programs, and during school holidays.
Our approach focuses on reaching at-risk children and youth and providing support in three specific ways:
Building Core Competencies for Youth Success
We support young people to build self-confidence, perseverance, and a strong sense of personal and cultural identity. Our programs create spaces where youth can explore their heritage, celebrate diversity, and take pride in who they are, laying the foundation for long-term success. With guidance and support, they achieve major milestones like high school graduation and post-secondary education or employment training, opening doors to new opportunities.
We promote and nurture positive behaviors that help children and youth build healthy connections with adults and peers. Our goal is to guide them in becoming responsible, respectful, and engaged members of their communities. Through mentorship and structured activities, we help youth develop a sense of accountability and an understanding of how their actions impact others.
We believe in supporting youth to become leaders and role models in their communities. In areas where crime, violence, and risky behavior often start at an early age, giving young people the skills and confidence to share their experiences, mentor peers, and make positive choices can have a transformative impact. By fostering effective communication, teamwork, and leadership, we equip the next generation to inspire and uplift those around them.
We believe children and youth are inherently resilient. Regardless of background or upbringing, each young person has the capacity to tap into their inner strength and resilience, if given the opportunity.
At Yo Bro | Yo Girl Youth Initiative, our programs are intentionally designed to help youth find and unleash their inner strength, empowering them to overcome challenges and thrive in their lives.
"For a young person to fully flourish, research strongly suggests they need a minimum of six healthy adults attached to them. The greater the number of role models in a young person’s life, the greater potential they have."— Rob Rai, Director of School and Community Connections for the Surrey School District