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In a world where change is within reach, your voice can be a catalyst for justice. As conversations continue to spotlight the experiences of Black individuals in our justice system, especially here in Toronto. Our commitment is to push forward to address the challenges faced by Black and racialized youth.
On September 24th, The Youth Justice Transformation Lab hosted the Youth Justice Community Forum at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. The event was funded by the Government of Canada and The Law foundation of Ontario.
The event brought together community organizations, justice professionals, community members and advocates to discuss the unique challenges and barriers Black and racialized youth face in the justice system and how community organizations and justice professionals can coordinate their efforts to better support them. It was meant to foster further cooperation between the justice system and community and highlighted a number of youth-serving organizations that offer culturally -relevant services for youth across Toronto. The forum emphasized the importance of Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs), a tool used to assess how race and cultural factors influence the experiences of young people in the criminal justice system.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage with leaders in the field, asking tough questions and exploring solutions to support justice involved youth. The discussions highlighted the need for systems that encourage youth to navigate conflict while ensuring they have the necessary support to thrive.
Special thanks were extended to the forum’s speakers for their invaluable insights and feedback, including Kaffie Abdirashid, Gabrielle Aquino, Demar Kemar Hewitt, Jacqueline Dyer, Chris Rudnicki, Dr. Ardacan Elzadirad, Dr. Danardo Jones, Gregory N. Leslie, Olusola Olumogba, Carolyn Tinglin, and Dr. Carl James.
As the forum concluded, participants left energized by the exchange of ideas and the commitment to making a difference. The event also marked the launch of the “Making a Difference” report, which will further raise awareness about the critical role of IRCAs in the justice system set to be shared in November.
