Empowering Youth, Building Resilience, and Fostering Partnerships at Black Creek Community Farm
In Toronto’s Jane-Finch community, Black Creek Community Farm (BCCF) stands as a pillar of resilience and empowerment, serving as an essential hub for food justice, youth leadership, and community well-being. Each year, BCCF engages dozens of young people in programs designed to nurture their growth, confidence, and commitment to positive change. Through partnerships with local organizations and participation in national initiatives, BCCF connects young people with the skills, resources, and support networks they need to thrive in today’s complex world.
Highlighting the Importance of Youth Empowerment in Food Justice
Each year, our programs impact the lives of nearly 50 young people from diverse backgrounds. BCCF’s mission prioritizes offering these youth a space where they feel valued, stable, and engaged. With hands-on learning in urban agriculture, youth not only gain practical skills in sustainable food production but also explore what food justice truly means in the context of their own lives and community.
This focus is especially crucial as we see increased challenges—particularly in the wake of recent gun violence affecting local youth—underscoring the need for programs that offer stability and empowerment.
Spaces like BCCF provide consistency and a nurturing environment where young people are encouraged to be vulnerable, pursue mentorship opportunities, and feel part of a supportive community. We believe these connections are essential for developing confident, resilient individuals ready to become advocates for food justice and community change.
Hope Blooms: A Model of Youth Empowerment in Halifax
During the recent Catapult Canada Gathering in Halifax, we were inspired by the work of Hope Blooms, an organization that empowers youth to make a positive impact through urban agriculture and social enterprise. Founded in Halifax’s North End, Hope Blooms encourages young people to grow food, develop culinary skills, and build sustainable business models by creating and selling their own herb dressings. The organization has received national attention for its community-focused work and serves as a powerful example of how youth-led initiatives can drive both economic empowerment and food security.
For BCCF, we can’t wait to explore future collaborations and build on our alignment goals. By learning from their approach to engaging youth in entrepreneurial skills within a food justice lens, we see exciting opportunities to build new initiatives that strengthen our own programs. Such collaboration could enable BCCF youth to expand their skillsets beyond agriculture to include aspects of social enterprise—an empowering addition to their growth and advocacy journey. For more about Hope Blooms, visit hopeblooms.ca.
The Role of Partnerships: JAYU and BCCF’s Commitment to Creative Expression
One of our most impactful partnerships has been with JAYU, an organization focused on using art to promote human rights and storytelling through platforms that elevate marginalized voices. JAYU’s programs inspire youth to explore complex issues such as social justice, human rights, and food security in a safe, creative environment. Following our initial connection with JayU at last year’s Catapult conference in Winnipeg, we cultivated a partnership that has led to the expansion of our visual storytelling capabilities at BCCF.
As part of this partnership, JAYU recently helped us organize a community mural project that allowed young people to artistically express what food justice means to them. Positioned right outside our farm gates, this mural serves as both a beautiful piece of community art and a powerful statement of the values we hold dear. For these young artists, the mural became a canvas for exploring their own understanding of food equity, community support, and environmental sustainability. We are excited to continue developing this partnership and see where our shared vision for advocacy through art and storytelling can take us. Learn more about JAYU’s inspiring work at jayu.ca.
Reflections from the Catapult Canada Gathering: Collective Advocacy for Change
The Catapult Canada Gathering in Halifax was more than just an opportunity to connect with other youth-centered organizations—it was a reminder of the collective work still needed to create lasting systems change. Hosted by the Rideau Hall Foundation, the Gathering underscored the importance of collaborative advocacy, empathy, and action in building resilient communities. We joined changemakers and inspiring leaders from across Canada, each working tirelessly to address the unique challenges their communities face.
A common theme that emerged from these discussions was the growing demand for nonprofits, especially those focused on youth empowerment initiatives. Organizations like ours are consistently asked to do more with fewer resources, a situation that adds to the strain on nonprofit staff and leadership who are already navigating significant workloads. Yet, through collaboration and the development of strong partnerships, there is an opportunity to make meaningful progress toward creating a supportive ecosystem for youth empowerment.
[Our Executive Director, Ohemaa Boateng and Program Manager, Anna Mancuso poses with Ikem Opara, Director of National Learning Partnerships]
The Catapult Gathering also highlighted the urgency of addressing barriers that prevent youth from achieving their potential. For Black Creek Community Farm, this means continuing to provide young people with access to spaces where they feel safe and supported. It means offering consistent programming that allows them to build leadership skills, gain mentorship, and connect with a positive community. And, perhaps most importantly, it means advocating for policy changes that prioritize the well-being of marginalized youth and provide them with the resources they need to thrive.
Moving Forward: Building a Resilient Future Together
As we look ahead, BCCF remains committed to empowering youth, building partnerships, and fostering a community that champions food justice and sustainability. We are grateful to everyone who has supported our mission and look forward to exploring new collaborations, like those with Hope Blooms and JayU, that amplify our impact.
We believe that true resilience is cultivated through empathy, action, and community. Whether through collective advocacy, creative expression, or direct action, BCCF is dedicated to creating pathways for young people to make positive, lasting changes in their lives and their communities. Together, we can build a future where every young person feels empowered to pursue their dreams and become a champion for food justice and community well-being. Thank you for being a part of our journey toward a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient world.