“I’m Graduating”
Mariisha’s Story: Purpose, Leadership, and the Power of Community
Where It Started
Mariisha first heard about For Youth Initiative from a friend who encouraged her to join FYI’s Post-Secondary Education (PSE) program. What started as a single workshop quickly became a second home, filled with campus tours, wellness programs, and a sense of belonging.“The space was fun, supportive, and always open,” she says. “I kept coming back.”
How FYI Showed Up
FYI helped Mariisha with practical tools like scholarship applications, budgeting, and the transition to university life. She joined group programs likeWellness Wednesdays and Emotional Levelling, and eventually came back as a peer facilitator, leading sessions for other youth.That role helped her strengthen her public speaking and leadership skills. “I’m using those skills now, everywhere,” she says.
“As a Black woman, I’ve faced financial adversity and systemic barriers. But I’m committed to making a difference, and FYI helped me believe I could.”
How Support Took Shape
Post-secondary education guidance and scholarship support
Ongoing mentorship during the transition to university
Group programs focused on wellness and emotional well-being
Today, Mariisha is preparing for her first semester in Nursing. She’s driven by care, for her future patients, for her community, and for the young people who will follow in her footsteps.
Her story isn’t just about getting into university, it’s about stepping into her power.
Where She Is Now
“FYI didn’t just support me. They reminded me I wasn’t alone.”
Program Highlight: Post-Secondary Education Support
$25,000 in scholarships and bursaries awarded
76 youth received post-secondary application support
24 PSE workshops delivered, including scholarship writing and OSAP guidance
