Multicultural Leadership and Service Program
THE PROGRAM
The Multicultural Leadership & Service Program offers a series of dynamic, transformative experiences designed for up to 90 Indigenous, Black, and racialized youth, ages 14–18. Rooted in cultural connection, community service, and experiential learning, the program builds leadership through hands-on projects that inspire social impact at both the local and global level.
The anchor for the program will be a retreat at our Riverstone Eco Campus in Durham Ontario.
WHAT SETS US APART?
OUR CAMPUS
Riverstone is home to a vibrant community garden and outdoor culinary space that welcomes people from across the region. Youth will take part in regenerative agriculture, food literacy workshops, and shared meals that foster connection to land, culture, and community. The campus also hosts diverse learning spaces, from forest trails to open skies, where youth can explore big ideas, build new skills, and deepen their relationships with one another and the world around them.
PREPARATORY ACTIVITIES
Before gathering at Riverstone, youth will take part in virtual sessions to ground the experience. These include community-based service projects in their home regions and online workshops exploring emotional intelligence, cultural humility, and tools for collaboration.
WHAT OUR YOUTH WILL BE DOING…
DIGITAL
STORYTELLING
Explore podcasting, photography, and digital media to amplify community voices, share lived experiences, and tell stories that matter
GLOBAL CHANGE
Engage with issues like food sovereignty and climate justice through a lens of leadership, responsibility, and solutions-driven thinking
MEET MENTORS
Build meaningful relationships with Indigenous Elders, artists, media creators, and professionals who reflect the lived realities and cultural richness of our communities
COMMUNITY GARDENING
Work alongside volunteers in Riverstone’s community garden to learn about food systems, regenerative growing, and the interconnectedness of land and people
DONATE RESOURCES
Help harvest fresh produce and collaborate with local agencies to distribute food boxes to families, contributing to food security and community care efforts
RIVERSTONE ECO-CAMPUS
EXPERIENCES / WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOPS & CULTURAL IMMERSIONS
Youth will take part in a wide range of workshops and activities, including:
- Indigenous food foraging, edible flora
- Farming workshops with Farmers’ Associations and Black-led organizations
- Cultural culinary arts led by chefs from diverse backgrounds
- African drumming circles and rhythm workshops
- Campfire discussions and intergenerational knowledge sharing
- Digital storytelling: drone mapping, photography, podcasting, and editing
- Night sky exploration and constellation stories sharing at our onsite observatory
- Leadership building, journaling, and reflective activities
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
The Multicultural Leadership and Service Program is funded in part by Canada Service Corps, a national movement that empowers youth aged 12–30 to gain experience and build important skills while giving back to their community. Learn more at Canada.ca/CanadaServiceCorps.
