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From Community Voice to Institutional Engagement 

We’re honoured to share that MyInLaw has been selected for the Leading Social Justice Collective at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities in partnership with United Way Greater Toronto.

This highly competitive program brings together changemakers advancing systemic solutions across the GTA. Our focus will be on building a holistic development pathway that connects youth recreation, leadership, employment, and culturally grounded sporting systems.

This course is about building systems.
This is about equity.
This endeavour is about long-term impact.

We are filled with gratitude for the journey that lies ahead.

#MyInLaw #SocialJustice #CommunityOwned #EastAfricanCommunity #BlackCommunity

The Benefits of Embracing Change

There are several benefits to embracing change. Firstly, it fosters innovation. When we open ourselves to new possibilities, we often find creative solutions to existing problems. This can lead to breakthroughs that may not have been possible otherwise.

Secondly, change promotes personal & Community growth. Stepping out of our comfort zones can be intimidating but ultimately rewarding. It encourages us to learn new skills, adapt to different environments, and develop resilience in the face of challenges.

Why This Work Matters

For years, we have been working closely with families across Scarborough and beyond—especially Black, newcomer, and working-class communities.

Through our community research and direct engagement, we’ve seen a consistent pattern:

Children lack access to recreational opportunities like swimming and skating
Parents face barriers navigating systems due to time, language, and access
Youth lack structured pathways into leadership, mentorship, and employment
In one of our community-based studies, we found that:

• Nearly 90% of children did not know how to swim
• Most had never participated in structured recreational programs
• Many families struggled just to secure a spot in existing programs
• These are not individual challenges. They are system-level gaps.

What LSJC Is Helping Us Do

The LSJC program supports teams to:

• Build a Theory of Change
• Map the ecosystem and power structures
• Design and test a pilot intervention
• Develop a sustainable model for long-term impact

This means we are not working alone—we are learning, testing, and building alongside other leaders committed to social justice across the GTA.

Overcoming Resistance to Change

Resistance is a natural response to change, often fueled by fear of the unknown. However, understanding the root cause of this resistance can help in overcoming it. Recognizing that change is a necessary part of progress allows us to confront these fears more effectively.

Communication is key in this process. By openly discussing concerns and potential impacts, we can ease anxieties and work toward solutions that benefit everyone involved.

Join Us!

We invite families, youth, partners, and community leaders to be part of this journey.

Whether you are:

• A parent looking for support
• A youth interested in leadership opportunities
• A partner organization seeking collaboration
• There is a place for you in this work.

Together, we are building something bigger than a program.

We are building pathways, equity, and opportunity.