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Sankofa Programs

 

 


The York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (YRAACC) Sankofa Programs offers an Africentric curriculum that is focused on activities that provide workshop sessions for Black Students to enhance their racial and cultural identity, self-esteem, critical thinking, self-reflection, teamwork, and community engagements.  We offer three unique programs for our children, and youth to explore and gain knowledge to answer the following questions:

Who Am I?

How did I become who I am?

Am I really who I think I am?

What is my life’s purpose

The program consists of the Youth Mentoring, Storytelling and Sankofa Identity Programs.

 

Mentoring Program

 

The Sankofa Mentoring Program is for students in grades seven to twelve, virtually on Thursdays 6:30pm to 8:30pm.  The environment creates a safe space for students, and mentors to come together in unity and learn more about their heritage. Through collective work/responsibility, we have created an environment where creativity and cooperative economics work together to engender self-determination. The program was developed in the follow structure:

  • Rooted in an Africentric Framework
  • Three tier model (life skills, community engagement and civic responsibility)
  • It highlights the principles of the Nguzo Saba – (The Seven Principles) Unity, Self-Determination Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, Faith, and Self-Respect 

 

Storytelling Program

 

The Sankofa Storytelling Program is for Black students in grades four to six, virtually on Saturday mornings 11am to 12:30pm. This program promotes cultural identity, exposes children to African, Caribbean cultures and traditional values. Eventually, when Black students start composing and telling their stories it will be more inclusive, giving them a stronger sense of belonging, which in the end will enhance their confidence and self-efficacy. 

The program was developed in the follow structure:

  • Reading books with Black characters 
  • Use of Storytelling to improve vocabulary and grammar
  • Use of positive affirmations that help students to nurture their authentic self

 

Identity
Program

 

The Sankofa Identity Program is an after-school curriculum for Black students grades six to eight, virtually on Wednesdays at 5:00pm to 6:30pm.  Like the other programs it to promotes cultural identity and exposed students to African and Caribbean culture. Students will be given tools to make a smooth transition to adolescence and to be able to reflect on their behaviors to make better choices.  They will also gain life skills that will assist them in developing leadership, community connection and personal goals. 

The program was developed in the following structure:

  • Exploration of Black Culture – language, customs, arts, music, food, drama
  • Rooted in an Africentric framework
  • It highlights the principles of the Nguzo Saba – (The Seven Principles) Unity, Self-Determination Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, Faith, and Self-Respect 

 

Get The Family Involved

We hope that both students, parents and other family members are looking forward to being OUTDOORS,  as we have some upcoming weekly cultural events for ALL FAMILY MEMBER, including drumming camp, cultural food and a field trip to Black Owned Farm.. 

Contact us at info@yorkregionaacc.ca to get involved.

 

“We believe that there must be movement and new learning as time passes. However as we proceed the knowledge of the past must not be forgotten.”  

 

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Get in Touch

 

 

 

Phone

Call us at
647-425-5700

Address

1070 Major Mackenzie Drive
PO Box 5042
Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4S 0B7