Develop and grow your social skills with the EDGE Program

BY PAUL JUNOR

It has been over twenty years since the EDGE Program has played a pivotal role in the lives of young people all over the Greater Toronto Area. Details about the unique opportunities that it offers young Black males (Beau) and females (Debutante) between the ages 16 and 19 can be seen on the website: www.edgeprogram.net

These experiences empower them to develop and grow their social and professional engagement skills. The leadership opportunities that it provides nurtures their innate talents and abilities, and develops their: skills, mind-sets, and gifts. In addition to the youth participants, there are: juniors, boys and girls between the age of 7-10 who are participants in the program.

Some of the benefits of the EDGE Program that participants obtain are:

• Preparatory program to support Black youth transitioning from adolescence to adulthood
• A platform to inspire youth to collaborate and embrace their differences
• Encouragement to embrace experiences that fall outside their comfort zone
• Develop a sense of belonging and true inclusion

Youth participants develop leadership skills as a means of supplementing their academic achievement and maximize their full potential. Black youth are able to develop and grow their social skills and emotional skills in a supportive environment that is: healthy, inclusive, harmonious and connected. One of the distinctive features of the EDGE Program is the incorporation of ballroom dance.

Each year there is a goal to have four cohorts, each one consisting of twelve girls and twelve boys and twelve junior boys and girls. There are two locations where the EDGE Programs are offered: Metro-East in Scarborough and Metro-West in Mississauga. This enables the program to reach potentially 80+ youth each year. The youth participants in the EDGE Program are vital to how they can benefit from it. They are able to collaborate to create a sense of teamwork and cooperation, which in turn helps to reinforce the communication skills and teach the participants how to appropriately interact with their peers in a structured and healthy environment.

The planning committee for the EDGE East involves the following individuals: Patricia Gloudon (Founder and Chair), Liz Valladares-Pereira (Chair, East-Scarborough), Tanya Grant (Program Coordinator *Metro-West), Rosa Berdejo-Williams (Workshop Coordinator), Serena Thompson (Community Outreach Coordinator), Leone Falconer (Lead Workshop Facilitator), Maureen Simpson (Venue Liaison), Tamara Henningham, Brianna Hylton (President, Youth Alumni) and Brian Coordinator (Beau Coordinator).

Chair Gloudon states, “I am proud to be part of this program that changes and impacts young lives. Together with education, we believe that style, etiquette, and leadership are vital skills for success. Our focus is on teaching participants the poise and tenacity that will make powerful and lasting first impressions.”

Registration started on June 10^th, 2023, for the EDGE-West Program. The cost for each debutante and beau is $400 (four payments of $100). The first payment of $100 is due upon registration. The cost for the junior debutantes is $200 (five payments of $50). The first payment of $50 is due upon registration.

The formal presentation of the EDGE-East will occur on Saturday, July 22^nd, 2023. The debutante and beau who participated will be presented to their family, peers and society. At this formal ball, debutante and beau of the year will be presented to two participants who display the core values that characterize the EDGE Program.

Anyone interested in learning about the EDGE Program can check it out at:

• Website:www.edgeprogram.net
• Facebook:taketheedgeprogram
• Instagram:taketheedge
• Twitter:@EdgeProgram