Lori Sherritt

The Project: Youth at Britannia Elementary in British Columbia needed to raise funds to cover the expenses of their grade seven exchange trip between their class and a class of youth from Ontario. (This was no small feat as the funds raised had to cover plane fares, accommodation, food and transportation). The Challenge: How? (The funds required …

Measurable Differences: How LEAD Youth Turned Their Project Into Profit Read More »

Please join us on July 22nd at 7-8 PM Eastern for our on-line mid-summer fundraiser! There will be outstanding entertainment provided by youth coast to coast, door prizes and an opportunity to learn about and support underserved youth in LEAD programs across Canada!  Hosted by Natalie Preddie, award winning travel journalist, BIPOC advocate and contributor on Breakfast …

YouthLEADarts Summer Soirée Fundraiser Set for July 22nd Read More »

At youthLEADarts we are honoured and blessed to work side by side with Indigenous Elders, Story Keepers and artists from many nations across Turtle Island and to have the support of the Vancouver School Board’s Indigenous Education Department.  We are proud to share teachings from coast to coast, from Mi’kmaq territory to Coast Salish Territory. …

Good Medicine: LEAD Youth Embrace Indigenous Teachings  Read More »

This Earth Day as we think of nurturing our planet…make space for a little green. Don’t let the concrete hold you back. Wise thoughts from Desmond, grade seven, who created this artful message during the LEAD program in Vancouver. The Concrete Garden By: Desmond Resilience. Moss is growing out of concrete.  Not soil. Or a …

Youth Reflect on Their Own Resilience and the Resilience of Nature: Desmond’s Poem for Earth Day Read More »

Culture is the heart of the inner city. Here, Brooklyn, grade 7, acknowledges how Indigenous culture has deep roots in her east side community. Tip of the Scale By: Brooklyn Culture. Longhouses are the foundation of our community. The majority of our population at Britannia is Indigenous.  Culture is rooted deep in the Grandview area.  …

TIP OF THE SCALE: BROOKLYN’S PERSPECTIVE ON INDIGENOUS CULTURE IN HER COMMUNITY Read More »

In the Vancouver LEAD program, youth at Britannia, an inner-city school, explored their world through photography and language. They sought out metaphors for their community. Eli’s depth of concern for his neighbours shines through in both his photo and poem. Eli displays such empathy, insight and kindness in his art. How do we treat people? …

Half full or half empty? Eli ponders the age old question Read More »

Through the voices and images of our youth, we at youthLEADarts continue to celebrate National Poetry Month. Pascal’s original words and photograph highlight the need to leave space in our days to calm down and catch our collective breath. The world can be chaotic and we all need to be ‘benched’ once in a while, …

Advice from youth: calm down, catch your breath and recollect Read More »

Established in Canada in 1998 by the League of Canadian Poets, National Poetry Month takes place every April and brings together lovers of poetry from across the country to celebrate poetry’s vital place in Canada’s culture. We, at youthLEADarts, are proud to share the voices, words, images and art of youth who participate in LEAD …

DRUMMING WITH THE HEART: YOUTH POETRY AND PHOTOS FEATURED FOR NATIONAL POETRY MONTH Read More »

This year’s LEAD program at Britannia Elementary School, a designated inner-city school on Vancouver’s East Side, asked youth to capture photos that were metaphors for their community.  Each photo in their gallery-worthy compilation tells a story, produces a commentary on life in their corner of the world. Seeing their art displayed side by side, one …

Raising Awareness: Hunter and the Unhoused Read More »

Theatre is more than memorizing scripts, wearing costumes and role play. Augusto Boal said, “Theatre is the art of looking at ourselves.”  Christian Bale says, “Theatre has got to do with putting yourself in other people’s shoes and seeing how far you can come to truly understand them. I like the empathy that comes from …

youthLEADarts Celebrates World Theatre Day: March 27th Read More »