Empowerment in Action: How Imagine Re-Evolution is Supporting Young People

The Impact of Empowerment

At Imagine Re-Evolution, we know that feeling confident in your skin, your abilities and your place in the world is hardly an easy thing. For our local youth, it can be a struggle intensified by overwhelming pressure and stress: to succeed, to fit in, to keep up. 

Nurtured by connection and a place to explore free of judgement however, we’ve seen firsthand how young people can find renewed purpose and wellbeing in new experiences grounded in a trauma-informed approach. With encouragement and a smile from volunteers and senior mentors, our local youth can build skills, spark new interests and feel a sense of belonging in a supportive community of volunteers, mentors and like-minded young people.

Real People. Real Stories.

With each person who walks through our door, comes an individual with a unique story seeking something different for their time at the Imaginarium, and we go to meet them where they’re at.

Like Claude*, who was seeking confidence to step away from his shy self and find approachability in a group learning environment.

Like Amy*, who found it easier to experience the world a little dulled, and would wear headphones and disappear into her phone to slip into the background.

Like Ben*, who did all the social things and chatted with people at school, but really, always felt on the outside anyway. 

The Start of Something Beautiful

When Claude*, Amy* and Ben* showed up for programs, there was no magical pixie dust. Instead, greeting them was the opportunity to use the space how they felt comfortable and explore a new medium or activity to put their spin on alongside people who, too, were searching for their community. Everyone could do their own thing, but do their own thing together - chatting and connecting casually over craft and a mindful upcycling project. 

There to offer encouragement and guidance along the way, were our volunteers. Our friendly faces and passionate mentors who more than anything, enjoyed getting to know these amazing young people and seeing them discover joy and a sense of mastery exploring the mediums and crafts they themselves know and love.

Finding Empowerment 

Incredibly heartening was seeing this community belonging and expectation-less learning wrap its arms around Claude*, Amy* and Ben* - and seeing these 3 embrace right back. In the beginning, it was new and unknown, but together trust was built. In this judgement-free space, they could find confidence and an openness to be themselves. 

Claude

Claude*, who found a supportive space to learn alongside peers, breaking free from anxiety and finding courage to take up space in an environment that felt safe and understanding. When school became too much to bear, he withdrew into himself, overwhelmed and feeling alone. When he came to the Imaginarium though, he was met with a place where he could be however he wanted to be and could engage with however he felt most comfortable. At ease, he found himself enjoying the process of carpentry, returning each week to spend time with his senior mentor and other young people keen to explore the craft.

Amy

Amy*, who found the comfort to close the distance she held herself to in order to manageably take in and participate in the world. From sitting on the couch with headphones and her phone, to chatting with the new people she met that day. The headphones and phone were placed to the side, and an empowered conversationalist took centre stage. Gathered around the table, she and her peers chatted about everything under the sun and when the time came for the program to end, she left while sharing a laugh with everyone. 

Ben

Ben, who found a like-minded person; a person also looking for authentic connection and answers in a disconnected world. Overwhelmed by feeling the need to adjust to each environment, Ben felt like a cameleon - a wearer of many different hats which he sported for different people and purposes. He struck up conversation with a volunteer, a discussion which evolved into a deep and meaningful reflective exchange on the relative safety but profound loneliness of masking and assuming personas - and its difficulty in making authentic friendships. He found validation in talking with someone with lived experience and found new hope in the gentle guidance they provided as someone who now feels confident in their skin: that being yourself can be the scariest thing but it’s also the most rewarding. It feels the most true in finding self and a sense of belonging among people who really see you. 

Filling the Gaps

Welcoming all young people with all different stories and felt experiences, we know how much a space to connect with community and learning away from pressure can make a world of difference. In this time where our youth are facing mounting stress and feeling increasingly alone and misunderstood, having a space to exist without condition can offer the strongest support to nurturing mental health and authentic connections.

Our Mission

At Imagine Re-Evolution, we seek to meet this need and provide young people with moments of hope and empowerment that can take root in their lives. With a warm and trauma-informed approach we’re on a mission to restore feelings of belonging, educate and create a flexible space for learning and evolve together so that we can inspire the confidence to lead on.

Check Out Our Programs

If our space and mission resonates for you or someone you know, send us a message or register via the ‘Our Programs’ tab on our website. We’d love for you to join in on our programs or pop by to see what we’re all about. 

*Names changed to protect the identity of individuals