One of New Leaf’s priorities is being led by the communities we engage with. During the pandemic, our goal has been to learn what youth need/want and re-envision our work and our offerings in a way that’s responsive. Over the months of April and May, we carried out consultations and distributed a survey and grocery cards to approximately 100 young people in order to learn how COVID-19 is impacting them and what resources they would find most useful.
80% of youth surveyed feel COVID-19 has negatively impacted their mental health
70% of youth surveyed say their stress levels are high or very high
Youth shared that they are in need of resources that support: relaxation (63%), coping when overwhelmed (44.5%), and stress reduction (46%)
Thanks to organizations like Black Youth Jobs and U for Change, as well as some of our TDSB partners, for helping to get the surveys out!
Plans are underway to implement the important feedback we’ve received into our next round of offerings.