What happened in March?
Empowering the Leaders of Tomorrow
On March 2nd, 2026, Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) Member, Rida Aslam, and Community Living Ontario’s (CLO) Youth Coordinator, Leshona Lennard, facilitated a “How to Be a Good Leader” workshop for 7 youth in the CityServe Employment Readiness Program (Scarborough, ON). Following this, Leshona facilitated two “Building Inclusive and Accessible Spaces” workshops (on March 4th) and two “How to be a Good Leader” workshops (on March 6th) for a total of 30 youth in the Media Lab program at the Career Education Council of Guelph. Through discussions, reflections, and interactive group activities, the youth learned how to lead strong teams, identify barriers to inclusion, and advocate for more accessible community spaces.
These workshops are part of Re:Action4Inclusion’s (R4I) Youth Leadership Workshop series, which is for youth aged 14-29, with and without disabilities. Our workshops cover the following topics: “Building Inclusive and Accessible Spaces” and “How to Be a Good Leader”. To view our workshop descriptions or to book a workshop, please visit our website under “Youth Leadership Workshops”.
What happened in April?
Inclusion Matters: Educating Youth About the Value of Inclusive Spaces
On April 15th, 2026, Leshona Lennard (Youth Coordinator) facilitated a “Building Inclusive and Accessible Spaces” workshop for 30 students from Greater Fort Erie Secondary School. During the session, students explored practical ways to make schools and communities more welcoming for youth of all abilities.
“Break the Label, Build Belonging” Event Brings Youth Together in Markham
On April 19, 2026, Re:Action4Inclusion and Centre for Dreams hosted “Break the Label, Build Belonging” in Markham, bringing together 28 youth and community members for a day focused on inclusion and self-acceptance. Attendees participated in workshops about creating accessible spaces and challenging stereotypes, led by Vignesh Athavan (YAC member), Leshona Lennard (Youth Coordinator), and Michelle del Carmen (Executive Director of Centre for Dreams). The event also featured local community organizations, an interactive inclusion wall, and opportunities for youth and families to connect. We can’t wait to host more events like this to promote inclusion and empower youth in Ontario!
What happened in May?
Youth Art Showcase and Pop-Up Shop
On Sunday, May 17th, Re:Action4Inclusion and Community Living Ontario hosted our first youth-led Spring Art Showcase & Pop-Up Vendor Market. The event was filled with so much creativity, talent, community, and joy! From browsing incredible artwork, to shopping from amazing local vendors, to seeing everyone connect and support one another – the energy in the room was truly unforgettable. We are so grateful to everyone who came out, showed love to our artists and vendors, and helped make our very first showcase such a success.
New Episodes, Real Conversations: What’s New on the “Real Talk” Podcast
This spring, Re:Action4Inclusion’s Real Talk Podcast released three new episodes featuring conversations about inclusion, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. In March, Arshiaa (YAC member) interviewed Danielle Forbes from National Service Dogs about the impact of certified service dogs. In April, Arshiaa spoke with Roan Missaghi and Monica Missaghi of Fidget Island Co. about their creative 3D-printed fidget tools and small business journey.
Most recently, Vignesh (YAC member) interviewed Niko Pupella, who shared his experiences as a self-advocate and discussed the importance of creating communities where everyone feels valued and heard. You can watch all episodes on the YouTube playlist and subscribe for new uploads every month!
New Re:Action4Inclusion Video
Watch our new Re:Action4Inclusion video that highlights all our accomplishments over the past 3 years!
