Youth speak out via art – a brighter vision for Dartmouth North
Applied Research hosted an event at Ivany Campus to mark the end of a multi-year research collaboration among NSCC, Inspiring Communities and the University of Toronto, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. This final gathering of Young Canadians and Chronic Urban Violence: Healing, Resilience, and Resistance from Between the Bridges showcased the transformative outcomes of the study, using art and open dialogue to give Dartmouth North’s youth a platform to share their experiences and envision a more supportive future for their community.
Inspiring voices and community challenges
In addition to powerful artwork, attendees had the opportunity to hear from local figures like entrepreneur and youth coach Terrence Taylor, Halifax Youth Poet Laureate Asiah Sparks, Dartmouth MLA Susan LeBlanc and a panel of youth leaders who spoke about what it means to grow up in Dartmouth North. These discussions revealed the impact of community challenges, including program cuts and the need for stronger support systems to foster safe spaces for the area’s youth.
Terrence Taylor, who has long supported local youth, encouraged them to lean into their passions, underscoring that they are not defined by their circumstances but by their potential. Asiah Sparks inspired attendees with a spoken word piece that likened the youth to caterpillars, transforming into butterflies, saying, “Their growth is unstoppable, even when they’re faced with obstacles.”
Youth stories and a call for change
A highlight of the night was the heartfelt stories shared by the youth panel. They spoke openly about their love for their community and their struggles, especially feeling abandoned after the local community center’s hours were cut, leaving them with few safe places to gather. One young speaker noted, “When they used to be open until 9, we had a place to go. Now, we’re back on the streets.”
Their stories shed light on daily challenges, such as racial profiling, that many of them face. This prompted renewed calls for community support and a commitment to understanding these experiences. Councillor Sam Austin pledged to fix a basketball net that had been broken for two years, emphasizing this as the start of necessary changes.
A vision for a brighter future
MLA Susan LeBlanc vowed to help find a permanent home for the youth-created mural that captures their experiences and dreams for Dartmouth North, making a promise to keep youth voices central in future community planning.
“This exhibit isn’t just about art, it’s also about healing,” said Joanne Firth, NSCC Industry Liaison Officer who helped coordinate the project. “The youth have given us a powerful message, ‘Where is Community? Bring Back the Light.’ It’s a call to all of us to listen, engage and build a future where they feel supported and safe.”
As the evening drew to a close, there was a sense of hope in the air. These young voices, united in a call for change, reminded everyone that with a bit of support, understanding and a commitment to creating safer spaces, Dartmouth North can indeed bring back the light.