BY PAUL JUNOR
It is hard to believe that it has been over twenty years since ResQ was launched in March 2001. It has been involved in diverse activities and initiatives to fulfil its mandate “To ensure that all youth receive the best quality education by staying in school,” according to its website: resqyouth.com.
The launch of ResQ Youth International Food Truck GC Jerk Xpress on Saturday, November 20th, 2021 was an important fundraising initiative that is intended to:
- Generate funds for ResQ’s projects
- Community outreach
- Creating jobs for community youth
At the launch I met Dr. Walter Joseph, newly elected President of the Board of ResQ. Dr. Joseph, along with his wife Erica, has been providing leadership at Walking in the Water Ministries in Brampton for sixteen years. As Chair of the Board, he has an extensive background in leading and mentoring youth in the Greater Toronto Area.
Dr. Joseph informed me that GC Jerk Xpress has partnered with ResQ to raise funds by selling West Indian food at a nominal price. The food truck will be present for the next three weeks. A discount of 15% is available for those who order their food online. The launch of the international GC Food Truck was held at the northwest corner Bramalea City Centre.
The promotional material for the GC Jerk Xpress states with respect to ResQ that, “It has been feeding the minds, spirits and body of the community. Becoming a franchise of GCJerk Xpress is a national progression in our growth and commitment to the community.”
One of the initiatives that it launched is S.T.E.M Saturday, which started on October 15th, 2021. There has been an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
(S.T.E.M) in the revised elementary school curriculum that was introduced in 2019.
Students from Grade 1-8 are exposed to concepts and skills that will prepare them for a technological and digital world and careers in fields that require an understanding of fundamental scientific and mathematical concepts. On S.T.E.M Saturday students from ages six to ten and ages eleven to eighteen will learn about topics such as: Circuit Electronics, Coding/Programming, Technology and Engineering.
The sessions will be conducted from 11 am -12 am, 12 pm – 1 pm and 1 pm – 2pm. The themes for the Saturday sessions are, “Explore, Create, Discover and Innovate,” which will be conducted over a ten-week period Face 2 Face interaction.
The goal of these one-hour sessions is on “creating a STEM pipeline for our Black youth within our community by hosting affordable STEM programs.” The purpose of these sessions “will be to increase the participants critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the areas of the STEM.” There is a nominal fee of $15 per session for each participant.
ResQ is also involved in providing academic support in Math and Science for Grade 9 students as well as in career studies from Monday to Thursday between 3:30 p.m – 6:30 p.m.
On December 20th-21st between 10 am – 6 pm it will be presenting gifts to kids from infants to twelve years. It is currently accepting registrants. Anyone interested in volunteering or students who need volunteer hours can contact ResQ:
Facebook: resqyouthinternational
Twitter: ResqYouth
Instagram:@resq_youth
Website: https://www.resqyouth.com
Email:resqyouthinfo435@gmail.com
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