A free Oshawa youth workshop will help young people explore how their interests, strengths and identities could connect with future education and career opportunities. Ontario Tech University’s Black Youth Visionary Program will present “Finding your Identity” at the Jess Hann Branch of Oshawa Public Libraries on Thursday, August 6, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
The workshop is designed for youth ages 10 to 17. Through guided activities and discussion, participants will consider what they enjoy, what they are good at and the goals they may want to pursue. The library describes the session as an opportunity to explore identity, interests and possible pathways to post-secondary education.
Oshawa Youth Workshop Welcomes Drop-In Participants
The session will take place at the Jess Hann Branch, located at 199 Wentworth Street West in Oshawa. Registration is available through the Oshawa Public Libraries event system, and the official event description says drop-ins are welcome.
Organizers have indicated that young people do not need to arrive with a career plan. The purpose is to provide a comfortable starting point for thinking about interests and how they may translate into college, university, training or employment choices later.
Although the workshop is hosted by the Black Youth Visionary Program, the supplied event information says everyone within the designated age range is welcome.
The August 6 event is the second Finding your Identity session listed in the library’s summer program. An earlier workshop was held at the Delpark Homes Centre Branch on July 20, giving families in another part of Oshawa an additional opportunity to participate.
Ontario Tech Program Supports Black Youth
Ontario Tech created the Black Youth Visionary Program to increase awareness of post-secondary opportunities and help Black students access support throughout their educational journey. The university says the program connects participants with academic assistance, career-planning resources, networking, mentorship, experiential learning opportunities and financial-aid information.
The initiative also helps students understand how to navigate university systems that can feel unfamiliar or overwhelming. Participants can learn where to find study support, leadership opportunities, awards and services intended to help them succeed during and after their studies.
Ontario Tech says the program was supported by a $500,000 investment from Scotiabank through ScotiaRISE. The funding is intended to create pathways and resources for Black youth pursuing post-secondary education and personal development.
Workshop Makes Future Options Easier to Explore
Career decisions can feel distant or intimidating for children and teenagers, particularly when they have limited information about educational options or believe university is financially out of reach.
The workshop will encourage participants to begin with what they already know about themselves. A young person interested in creativity, technology, helping others, sports or problem-solving can use those interests as a starting point for exploring subjects, programs and occupations.
The discussion will also introduce participants to supports that may reduce barriers to higher education, including scholarships, bursaries, academic services, mentorship and career guidance. Ontario Tech lists those areas among the resources available through its Black Youth Visionary Program.
No previous knowledge of post-secondary programs is required. The session is intended to be interactive rather than a formal university lecture, allowing youth to ask questions and participate at their own comfort level.
How to Attend the Free Oshawa Session
The Oshawa youth workshop runs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, at the Jess Hann Branch of Oshawa Public Libraries. The branch is located at 199 Wentworth Street West.
Families can register through the library’s online event listing. Drop-ins are welcome, although advance registration may help organizers plan for attendance. Participants who cannot arrive exactly at 2 p.m. may still join after the session begins.
The event provides a free opportunity for young people to learn about their strengths, consider future possibilities and discover educational support available close to home through Ontario Tech and its Black Youth Visionary Program.
