PRESENTING SPONSOR
Call A Friend Initiative
Call A Friend (CAF) is an initiative created by Domanique Grant presented by The Royal Bank of Canada and in partnership with The Cooperative Housing Federation of Toronto. CAF addresses the growing need for support within the lives of youth in not-for-profit housing who are home for more than 20 hours a day due to social isolation.
CAF challenges the notion that COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate by replacing assumptions that see digital programs, spaces and opportunities as “equal to all” with sponsored resources, that will ensure that youth in communities with socio economic barriers are not left behind as we move to a digital economy.
THE ISSUE
SOCIAL ISOLATION
Youth in not-for-profit housing are being impacted by the career and mental health impacts of COVID-19 at disproportionate rates. On a normal day youth can be inside from 15-24 hours.
THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Social isolation is further perpetuated by a lack of access to certain digital technology and professional tools that prevent youth from participating fully in the shift to digital work, training and professional development in online spaces.
HOW WE HELP
ACCESS , CONNECTION AND MENTORSHIP
We increase access and connection for youth by pairing them with a mentor, sponsoring professional lessons/ development, providing weekly “accountability calls”, offering in kind technology, instruments and tools that help youth overcome barriers to achieving their goals.
OUR GOAL
We help youth convert unproductive time at home, into a long term revenue generating skill. goal or aspiration.
OUTCOMES & PROGRAM SUPPORTS
Financial Literacy
Combating poverty with financial literacy by pairing financial advisors at RBC with a young person to teach financial literacy at an earlier age.
Professional Training
Private professional training in the arts, thus eliminating the financial burden for parents and caregivers
Mentorship Calls
Creating accountability through weekly mentorship calls, where mentors will guide the youth and form a personal, one-on-one bond
Access to Resources
Sponsored tablets, instruments, and tools will be provided to ensure that children that don’t have the tools to participate are not forgotten
IMPACT
Convert unproductive time into long term skills.
Increased opportunities for BIPOC youth.
Increase employment opportunities.
Increase access to resources that will eliminate barriers to participation.
Reduce long-term mental health challenges.
“I really want to share my vision of bringing professional training, access to resources, mentorship, and financial literacy to children at an early age. Access was one of the things that changed my life and I hope to pay it forward.”
Apply now.
If you live in Canada, reside in not-for-profit housing, and identify as youth, we want to help you!
To apply for the CAF initiative, please fill out the form and we will be in touch once applications open.
If you are interested in partnering or sponsoring CAF, please request a sponsorship package in the message box.
FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES CONTACT:
management@domaniquegrant.com