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This leadership program is seeking Indigenous and immigrant Prince George youth

The program will teach you how to make a difference in public policy
level
The program is hosting two information sessions in Prince George. (via Facebook/LEVEL)

Have you ever wanted to make a change or a difference in your community but didn’t know where to start?

A brand new program is offering to teach youth about public policy so they can be better prepared to address the issues impacting their lives.

The program, called LEVEL Youth Policy Program, is for 12 Indigenous and racialized immigrant and refugee youth across B.C.

“The idea of LEVEL is bringing racial equity for indigenous youth and racialized migrant and refugee youth specifically,” says Abeer Yusuf, Grants and Community Initiatives Coordiantor for the Vancouver Foundation, which sponsors this program.

She says that Indigenous and racialized immigrant and refugee youth are unrepresented in areas of leadership like at the boardroom tables in the non-profit sector.

This group will spend six-months learning all about the public policy and how to influence it.

“For that specific demographic we are hoping to be able to offer this program for all so they can go back to their own communities and carry on a piece of public policy they want to work on and affect some change,” says Yusuf.

LEVEL is now accepting applications from throughout B.C. and will be in Prince George tomorrow (Jan. 24) to host two information sessions one in the morning and one in the evening.

Anyone interested in learning more can head to the Right Hall at Uda Dune Baiyoh - House of Ancestors (355 Vancouver St.) from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., or 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Yusuf says interested youth do not need to have any sort of public policy experience whatsoever, just an interest in making change.

“Policy affects all of our lives, everything from calling about potholes to development and access to clean water,” says Yusuf.  

“How do you make systemic change happen? How does that take place? This is one way of addressing it.”

She says Indigenous racialized immigrant and refugee youth, as well as allies, are welcome to come to the information session to learn more about the program and ask any questions they may have.

“This is the first time we are doing such a program – we are going to be learning with the cohort as we go along,” says Yusuf.  

“We are excited because it’s the first time for this and we are excited about the potential and to see amazing wonderful young people come through.”

You can check out these FAQs to see if you would qualify for the program and if you want to learn more about LEVEL you can follow them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.