PRISH 

Founder

Prish is currently studying towards a History degree and Certificate in Business. She has had the privilege of working in youth, family, and women’s shelters and has learned something from every resident and worker that she encountered. She hopes that this blog can similarly be used to highlight the voices of those facing abuse and the people working to support them. When she’s not busy doing schoolwork, Prish enjoys boxing, cooking yummy (And sometimes healthy) meals, and flipping through a memoir. She never ceases to be amazed by the strength of individual resiliency and truly believes that everyone has the ability to change their tomorrow.

JOSH 

Administrative

Lead

Josh is a recent graduate of Queen’s University and is currently attending The Schulich School of Business. He is passionate about working towards making real and positive changes in society and is fortunate to have had several opportunities enabling him to do so. Josh is thrilled to be involved with Starts With Youth as he believes it is a great platform to reach members of the community who are seeking out support as well as educate others on extremely important topics. In his free time, Josh enjoys cooking, playing piano, spending time with friends, and traveling.

JASPER 

Administrative

Lead

Jasper is a recent graduate from the Biochemical Engineering program at Queen’s University. She is currently working for a pharmaceutical company in Montreal, developing vaccines for youth in impoverished communities and third world countries. With Starts With Youth, she hopes to spread awareness and provide others with the resources and opportunity to learn and grow so that they can be the very best version of themselves.

DAPHNA 

Marketing

Manager

Daphna is a content creator and marketing team member at Starts With Youth. She completed her undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology; within the program of Concurrent Education at Queen’s University. She is currently undergoing her final year of her B. Ed. She has had, and still has, several ongoing experiences working with youth in a wide variety of settings, and with individuals from several different walks of life. Through these experiences, her passion for educating others has only been growing and developing since she was young. Through her work in schools, she has noticed that there is a dire need for trauma-informed resources and awareness for students who are suffering in silence. Not only is she excited to be able to be a part of such an important project that aligns with her values, but she loves the opportunity and equal access to information that Starts With Youth provides to our community.

SYDNEY 

Marketing

Manager

Sydney is currently in her 5th year at Queen’s University, studying chemistry. Since she was in high school she has had a passion for working with youth in different capacities. She believe strongly in giving voices to marginalized communities and raising awareness on different topics such as mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial inequalities. This is why she is excited to be apart of Starts With Youth, and to have a platform to share people's stories and raise awareness on important issues. In her free time she enjoys reading, watching basketball, and indoor gardening.

NATASHA 

Marketing

Manager

Natasha obtained her degree in Psychology and Sociology, with a Certificate in Law from Queen’s University in 2020. She has had a variety of experiences of working with youth along with their families throughout her life, which is where her passion of counselling and psychology began. Having been exposed to situations of intergenerational trauma and abuse, Natasha is grateful that she can be a part of an organization such as Starts With Youth to provide individuals with the knowledge and support they need to learn, develop, and grow to make tomorrow better than today.

DAYNA 

Head of

Outreach

Dayna is a recent graduate of Queen’s University studying Biology and Psychology. Ever since she can remember she has had a passion for working with children. She is now applying to a Masters of Teaching as well as a Masters of Social Work, as she has a strong career ambition towards the combining aspects of childhood trauma and neuro-scientific research and how these fields apply to development. She joined Starts With Youth as a means of providing others with the awareness and education about the effects of childhood abuse and trauma. She is so grateful that Starts With Youth has also given her the platform to help a child or youth build the same toolbox that she has created to aid them in overcoming any adversities they may face in life and to begin their successful journey to healing.

MARINA 

Outreach 

Coordinator

Marina has received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Science and completed her graduate degree in Adult Education and Community Development. She believes that although trauma occurs for everyone, lifelong learning and communities working together can build a future that is not only safe but sustainable for everyone to exist in. Marina is excited to begin with Starts With Youth because she also believes that dialogue and communication are great tools for personal and community healing. When Marina is not working she enjoys being outdoors, reading, watching DIY videos, and spending time with loved ones and her cat!

CHRISTIANA 

Outreach

Coordinator

Christiana is a Nigerian Canadian woman who recently graduated from the University of Toronto with a HBSc in Psychology and Visual Studies. She developed a passion for mental health and child development through personal experience. She believes youth are the future and that we need to invest into them more and care for them better. She is a strong advocate for racial injustice, as well as other injustices, and as a result often engages in community initiatives. Currently, she is a part of the IMARA project and the From School to Success Pipeline project coordinated by a community health centre. In her free time she enjoys art, dance, and cleaning.