MEET THE YOUTH
We brought together an intimate group of newcomer and immigrant youth in Toronto from diverse backgrounds to share stories of mental health through a series of gentle and generative writing workshops. These youth then developed their stories further to create an array of music, monologues, photography, and spoken word poetry. We invite you to get to know each of these powerful storytellers and bear witness to their stories. Click through their headshots to read, listen, and watch their creations.
àtàndá (they/them) is from Nigeria, by way of Newark, New Jersey. They are a librarian and passionate about epistemic justice and preserving oral histories. They are also a member of the Toronto Kiki Ballroom Association.
Michael is a queer son of Vietnamese refugees currently living in Treaty 3 on lands protected by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum. He is a student at McMaster University and likes to spend his spare time either with loved ones, or in some nondescript park with his friends.
Haider (he/him) is a filmmaker and a visual artist based in Toronto. Haider moved from Iraq where he covered Iraqi social and political stories since 2014, including ISIS liberation battles and the popular uprising in 2019.
Sofia Garcia Garcia (she/her) is a Colombo-Canadian storyteller, based out of Toronto. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelor’s Degree in English literature, Dramaturgy, and Creative Writing.
Hannah (she/her) is an emerging creative writer from Mongolia, experimenting with prose and visual storytelling, and is a fierce advocate for social change and the non-profit sector.
Vishaali Seyon (she/her) is a high school student with a deep-rooted love of writing. Her work acts as a vessel for her innermost thoughts and emotions, allowing her to express herself in a way no other art form makes possible.
Expect It All is an initiative by Living Hyphen and On Canada Project to spotlight the widely nuanced mental health experiences of newcomer and immigrant youth across the nation-state we now call “Canada”. Through the power of storytelling, we amplify the unique and compelling voices of newcomer and immigrant youth who boldly and honestly speak their truths in all their complexity.
In Partnership with On Canada Project
On Canada Project has quickly become Canada's largest social-first platform, fervently dedicated to creating compelling media that enriches understanding. Acting as your ‘informed bestie’ in the group chat of life. OCP dives deep into culture, politics, and news, ensuring Canadians feel both informed and empowered. In an age where misinformation threatens unity, our media is a beacon, reaching millions each month.