Celebration of United Voices 2024: Strengthening Optimism and Resilience

It is with immense gratitude and joy that I reflect on the success of United Voices 2024: Strengthening Optimism and Resilience. This year’s summit brought together 120 passionate individuals—youth and adults alike—united in their commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and empowered community. The event served as a beacon of hope, breaking barriers, reducing stigma, and expanding access to essential mental health resources.

A major highlight of this year’s summit was the introduction of youth-empowering breakout sessions, an idea championed by the youth at the core of United Voices. These sessions provided safe and supportive spaces for learning, sharing, and healing, equipping participants with tools to foster resilience, build connections, and embrace self-expression. Each session—from workshops on emotional resilience to creative arts and vision boards—was thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse needs of attendees, with facilitators bringing expertise, empathy, and enthusiasm to each interaction.

Youth Empowerment in Action

The energy of the summit was elevated by the incredible contributions of young leaders. Youth served as Masters of Ceremonies, setting a welcoming and dynamic tone for the event. Spoken word artist Ed captivated us with his moving performance, while the talented dance duo Sofiaa and Iryna, newcomers from Ukraine, inspired us with their artistry and resilience. We also extend gratitude to Mohammed Baig, whose exceptional artistic talent embodied the spirit of United Voices.

These moments underscored the profound impact of youth leadership and creativity, reinforcing the importance of fostering spaces where young people can thrive and shine.

Acknowledgments with Gratitude

United Voices is built on a foundation of collaboration, and our success would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our partners:

• Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth, for hosting the collaboration and providing significant financial contributions.
• Planet Youth – United Way Calgary and Area, for ensuring our guests were well-nourished.
• Ernest Manning High School, for generously providing their theatre space and gym for our sessions, and for the Culinary CTS team, who prepared the delicious food and beverages for the event.
• Immigrant Services Calgary, for their steadfast commitment to the well-being of newcomer youth.
• The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate, for standing alongside us as champions of youth mental health.
• Youth Central, for empowering youth volunteers to be the welcoming faces of this summit.
• The Immigrant Education Society, for providing expert consultation and shaping youth-led program development.
• The Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association and Youth Central Society, for guiding the Youth Committee and empowering their leadership throughout the event’s success.

A special thank you to everyone who supported United Voices, including members of the Organizing Committee, resource fair partners, schools and staff, parents, and the youth of Calgary.

I would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to our exceptional Co-Chairs, Kushad Singhi and Georgina Gansatao, for their inspiring leadership. Gratitude also goes to Lucy, Rianna, and Maryam, whose warm and welcoming energy uplifted every attendee.

Looking Ahead with Hope

As we reflect on this milestone, we remain steadfast in our commitment to amplifying youth voices and fostering environments where they feel heard, supported, and empowered. The collective resilience of the committee and its partners was key to overcoming challenges and creating this impactful event. The insights and feedback from this year’s summit will guide us as we continue to evolve and expand our reach.

Thank you all for being part of this transformative journey. Together, we are building a brighter, more resilient future for newcomer youth.

Eamon Saldana
Chair of United Voices