Session 1: Supporting Young People with No or Precarious Status
This session aims to provide participants with a foundational understanding of the realities faced by youth with no or precarious immigration status in Canada. Participants will learn to identify common legal issues affecting these young people, understand the role of advocacy in addressing systemic barriers, and strengthen their ability to recognize when legal or navigation support is needed. The session will also help participants situate their own roles within broader advocacy and support systems.
Speakers:
- Sarah Pole (She/Her)
Executive Director | Childhood Arrivals Support and Advocacy Centre of Canada (CASA) - Esther Lexchin (She/Her)
Staff Lawyer | Childhood Arrivals Support and Advocacy Centre of Canada (CASA)
Session 2: Understanding Youth Rights
This session focuses on strengthening participants’ understanding of the legal rights of children and youth, particularly those with precarious or no immigration status. Participants will learn about key areas of law that commonly affect young people, gain practical tips for working ethically and effectively with youth clients, and improve their ability to spot legal issues and connect youth to appropriate referral pathways.
Speaker:
Emily Chan (She/Her)
Staff Lawyer | Community Development | Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY)
Session 3: Borderless Access to Education
This session highlights advocacy efforts aimed at increasing access to education for youth with no or precarious immigration status. Participants will learn about barriers to education access in Ontario, explore alternative pathways and programs that support inclusion, and better understand how advocacy initiatives like BATE respond to systemic exclusion. The session encourages participants to consider how education access fits within broader settlement and youth-support work.
Speakers:
- Brantella Williams (She/Her)
Executive Director | The Sanctuary Students Solidarity and Support Collective (S4) - Adrianna Gardiner (She/Her)
Project Coordinator | Black Creek Youth Initiative (BCYI)