Now accepting applications for Cohort 2!
Program Details
The Look Up! Lift Up! (LULU!) program is a peer-based mentorship program supporting girls and young women who identify as Black, racialized or belonging to other underrepresented communities within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Social Development Partnerships Program, the program matches Mentees (ages 7-17) with Mentors (ages 18-30) in 6 month – 1 year long mentorship relationships that will support their mental health and personal development.
The goal of the mentor-mentee match is to establish healthy relationships based on a sense of belonging, mutual respect, communication, trust, understanding, and accountability.
Why Become a Mentee?
- Benefit from the life experience and company of an older peer.
- Participate in exciting field trips and special events.
- Increase your social, emotional, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
- Receive training on mental health, leadership, and other important topics.
- Develop positive interpersonal connections.
Why Become a Mentor?
- Mentor a girl who would benefit from your company and life experiences.
- Increase your social, emotional, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
- Receive training on mental health, leadership, and other important topics.
- Participate in exciting trips and special events.
- Earn letters of references and other recognitions.
Commitment Period
Mentors and mentees will be matched for a period of six months to one year, depending on the cohort. Matches will make a commitment to connect once per week (in-person or online) for 1-2 hours between Monday to Friday from 3 pm – 7 pm or Saturday from 9 am – 2 pm.
Call for Mentors & Mentees
Currently, we are looking to recruit young women ages 18-30 and girls ages 7-17 from the Greater Toronto Area to serve as mentors and mentees for Cohort 2 . If you’d like to become a mentor or mentee, please fill out the corresponding registration form below. The form will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You will be contacted with next steps.
Young women and girls from Black, racialized, or other underrepresented communities are encouraged to register.
Should you require further information about the Look Up! Lift Up! Program, please don’t hesitate to contact the Jean Augustine Centre at (416) 253-9797 or at [email protected].
Youth Advisory Committee
The youth advisory committee is a group of ten young women ages 16-30 who help inform the design, implementation, evaluation and review of our Look Up! Lift Up! peer mentorship program. By participating, youth learn and develop skills in leadership, program design, communications, team building, and more. In gratitude of their participation, committee members also earn volunteer hours, letters of recommendation, and other benefits.
As of September 2023, we are accepting new members for the youth advisory committee members. If you’d like to join, please click the link below.
Who We Are
The Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment is a registered charity based in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Ontario, Canada. Established in June 2014 by the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, we offer in-person and online after-school programs, workshops, camps, and events to girls and young women both locally and across Canada.
Get in Touch!
Address
101 Portland Street
Etobicoke, ON M8Y 1B1
Contact Info
(416) 253-9797
[email protected]
Program Partners
‘Look Up! Lift Up!’ In the News
- ‘Where were all these programs when I was growing up?’ Mentorship for Black, racialized girls takes off | CBC News
- Peer mentoring a hallmark of the Jean Augustine Centre – Caribbean Camera
August 20, 2023 – Executive Director, Emma Asiedu-Akrofi, discusses the ‘Look Up! Lift Up!’ Program on Global News Radio.
August 12, 2023 – Executive Director, Emma Asiedu-Akrofi, and program participant, Kyana Dennis, discuss the ‘Look Up! Lift Up!’ Program on CBC Radio.