YEI celebrates International Women’s Day
Youth Engagement Initiative (YEI) hosted a discussion forum titled “Empowering & Inspiring Women” to celebrate International Women’s Day at 2670 Danforth Avenue.
YEI is a youth organization of predominantly Bangladeshi-Canadian members between the age of 12 to 25. The group was created in 2015 under supervision of Bangladesh Centre and Community Services of Danforth. The purpose of this group is to inspire the youth of Bangladeshi origin in joining social/voluntary work. Since inception, the group has taken initiatives to encourage members of the community to register for organ and blood donation, hosting monthly games night and movie night for youth, computer class for seniors, intergenerational communication workshops, free painting classes for children. YEI has also started working in partnership with other youth and cultural organizations such as East End Arts, in carrying out culture and art driven projects.
“We are planning to start a free after-school program for children to help them with their studies. We will also start programs to build bridges between youth in danger and youth from other affluent backgrounds because we believe in a society where we help each other, a society away from all divisions” said Raifah Nazah Khan, Vice President of YEI.
Lamia, a member of the team presented a PowerPoint on “Empowering & Inspiring Women”. We are in process of opening a girl’s group within YEI where we will invite young female members of our communities to come and talk to us, to inspire us and mentor us to achieve success in professional life” said Aysha, the Treasurer of YEI.
Doly Begun, New Democratic Party MPP candidate for Scarborough Southwest and a well known young social activist herself joined the event and spoke to the youth. “It is time that the youth of our community step up to achieve excellence and recognition for their hard work. Our parents have sacrificed a lot to give us the opportunity to succeed, and it is time we start living upto our dreams and ambitions” said Doly.
YEI can be contacted through Facebook by going to their Facebook page @YEIatBCCS.
