Toronto's
For Youth Initiative (FYI) will hold their second annual Power of One fundraiser next Thursday to raise money to support Toronto's young people.
The Power of One event will include a key note speech from Minister Teresa Piruzza from the
Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, performances by youth from the FYI community, live and silent auctions, and, says Lekan Olawoye, executive director of FYI, "a whole lot of mingling and networking."
The name of the event, the Power of One, is a reference to this year's theme -- the importance of positive mentorship in the lives of young people.
"We know there is an incredible power in positive mentorship," says Olawoye. "That's why we named it the Power of One, because you as an individual can make a difference in the life of a young person."
That's why, after all the celebrating, eating, and mingling, the event will culminate in a call-to-action.
"We understand in a big way young people need positive mentors and positive role models in their life," says Olawoye. "So, at the end of the day, the people in the room will have the opportunity to sign up, to say I want to be a coach, I want to be a mentor for somebody."
Though FYI has been active in Toronto for almost 15 years, it was only last year that the organization started to look to large-scale fundraisers to help support their programming.
"Cuts in municipal, federal and provincial funding have crept up on us," explains Olawoye. "And we figured as an organization we needed to be nimble."
"We wanted to make sure we didn't cut programming just because there is no funding. So we said, you know what, we need a fundraiser to bring in resources. We want the flexibility to do the work regardless of who's in power and who's funding or not funding."
The funds raised at last year's inaugural 'Power of One' event went towards supporting a summit on gun violence in the the York South-Weston region.
"Last year there was a a number of shootings in the city. Shootings that effected the young people we work with in a real way. With some of the dollars raised at the fundraiser we were able to put together a summit that brought together about 60 young people with their elected officials--city councillors, local MPs, and local MPPs--to talk about the issue of violence."
While FYI hasn't yet earmarked exactly where this year's funds will go, all the money raised will go towards supporting FYI's core programming.
"Wherever the need is, that's where the money will go," says Olawoye."It will go to support young people in the community."
The Power of One fundraiser will be held Thursday, June 18. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased through the
FYI website.
Writer: Katia Snukal
Source: Lekan Olawoye, Executive Director, For Youth Initiative