Sun and Set brings the Chandler neighbourhood together

“It was nice to see the new generation enjoying the spaces that I enjoyed as a youth!”

For the organizers, the Sun and Set Volleyball Tournament and Community BBQ was a love letter to their neighbourhood. They grew up in Chandler and describe the Community Centre as the central hub, where youth with shared experiences come together, have fun, and feel at home. On a Saturday at the end of August, with support from the LoveMyHood Matching Grant, Sun and Set welcomed kids, youth and parents to connect, play games, and share a free meal at the Chandler Mowat Community Centre. The strong turnout showed how the neighbourhood values these spaces. Ramla reflected that the event was “a testament to the importance of community building and the power of investing in youth. Moments like this spark inspiration in youth to see themselves represented and celebrated.” She hopes to continue to create opportunities for youth to lead and feel connected. Nafiso shared that one of her favourite parts was how youth took initiative to pitch in and help, eager to make the event the best it could be. That leadership is what Me&U nurtures through their programs and events.

Me&U works to create safe spaces for youth with multiple intersectionalities to unleash their potential and be the best versions of themselves. Founded by Black Muslim women who understand the challenges that exist in a lot of spaces, Me&U is removing barriers and uplifting their community, showing youth that they have a support system. The group applied for a LoveMyHood Matching Grant to host their biggest event yet, not just for youth, but open to the whole neighbourhood. Going through the LoveMyHood process pushed them to create a strong plan, and the continuous support helped them navigate the processes and seamlessly deliver this project to the community!

Fardawsa said that the heart of Me&U is Chandler. It is their neighbourhood and home, diverse and densely populated, full of culture and experiences, stories, support, and love. Nafiso shared that if this event happened when she was a youth, she would have been there, playing those games, getting her face painted, having fun and giggling. “It would have re-sparked my connection to that place and my neighbourhood, and been a core memory. Walking around during the event, I overheard groups of youth talking about how much fun it was, and that makes all the hard work worth it. An event like Sun and Set strengthens the youths' connection to this place and to each other, and fosters a sense of belonging with their neighbourhood.”

Next, Me&U will be hosting a Career Night on November 22nd. Details will be announced on their Instagram. They are seeking Black and/or Muslim professionals to join the panel discussion to share their wisdom and experiences. It is powerful for youth to see themselves represented and learn about different education and career paths. Email info@meandu.org to get involved!

Have an idea to bring your neighbourhood together? Reach out to lovemyhood@kitchener.ca!