Empowering Black Youth in Winnipeg 

Across Winnipeg, many Black newcomer and refugee youth face barriers that make it difficult to stay in school, find work, or feel a sense of belonging. From racism and trauma to poverty and language barriers, these challenges often leave young people disconnected from opportunity. The Rahma Community and Youth Centre is working to change that through the RISE (Resilience, Identity, Skills, Empowerment) program, a holistic, community-driven initiative supported by the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Catapult Canada grant. 

About the RISE Program 

RISE supports Black youth who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) through trauma-informed mental health care, academic and employment coaching, leadership and life skills training, mentorship with Black professionals, and youth-led civic engagement projects like podcasting and storytelling. Delivered in partnership with schools, community organizations, and local leaders, the program creates culturally grounded spaces where youth can rebuild confidence, strengthen identity, and re-engage in learning and work. 

“The RISE (Resilience, Identity, Skills, Empowerment)  program will significantly expand its reach by creating inclusive entry points for historically excluded youth through expanded programming, inclusive outreach, and new institutional access points across Winnipeg. Through these efforts, including innovative activities like youth-led podcasts, we anticipate directly supporting at least 75 new beneficiaries and indirectly impacting 225 to 300 others, creating vital, culturally relevant pathways to learning, employment, and community leadership.” says the Rise team. 

Addressing Systemic Barriers 

Black youth in Winnipeg experience disproportionately high NEET rates, driven by intersecting factors such as racism, poverty, trauma, and language barriers. In 2020, 15.8% of Black residents in Winnipeg lived below the poverty line compared to 8.1% of the general population, while unemployment among Black youth reached 24.4% in 2024, more than double that of non-racialized peers. Refugee youth often arrive with disrupted education and trauma that make traditional classrooms inaccessible. Many families also face digital inequity, with only 62% of low-income households in Canada having home internet access. 

By combining culturally responsive learning, mental health support, and leadership opportunities, RISE helps participants overcome these systemic barriers through mentorship, outreach, and knowledge-sharing. 

Strengthening Community with Support from the Rideau Hall Foundation 

With support from the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Catapult Canada initiative, Rahma Community and Youth Centre is expanding its capacity to deliver culturally relevant, youth-led programming. Catapult funding allows Rahma to strengthen partnerships with schools and community hubs, train mentors, and expand access to mental health and employment supports. 

Beyond funding, Catapult connects Rahma to a national network of youth-serving organizations committed to equitable learning and opportunity. Together, they are building pathways for Black youth to lead, thrive, and shape their own futures.