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Women and Girls: Black newcomers find home at AWYF

The Afro Women and Youth Foundation is a non-profit organization supporting Black newcomers in Sudbury and just received $140K in from the Greater Sudbury Development Corp
Sudbury.com Staff
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Afro Women and Youth Foundation received an almost $140,000 funding boost from the Greater Sudbury Development Corp., helping with their programming for Black newcomers to Sudbury. Seen here (from left to right ) is: Mnena Ibeneme, City immigration development officer; Keith Crigger, City manager of investment and business development; Adebola Adefioye, Founder and Executive Director, AWYF; Evelyn Chukwulobe, AWYF Board Treasurer; and Jeff Portelance, chair of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation.Supplied

Adebola Adefioye and the team behind the Afro Women and Youth Foundation (AWYF) in Sudbury continue to make life easier for newcomers to Sudbury, and with new funding from the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation, they hope to build on their success. 

The Afro Women and Youth Foundation is a registered charity organization providing settlement support and empowerment programs to immigrant Black women and youth. AWYF collaborates with community and corporate organizations to deliver programs and services.

They also provide wrap-around support to program participants by offering bus tickets, free shopping at the clothing bank, free hygiene products, daily refreshments and child-minding to reduce barriers and encourage participants to fully participate in programming at their community centre.

Now, with $139,507 to help them grow their staff and strengthen their programming, including their food and clothing bank, their mental health support programs like Sports4Mental Health and Crafts4Mental Health. 

Crafts4Mental Health is a free program designed for youth ages 10 through 16 to come together in a safe space to strengthen their mental health and wellness through arts-based activities. Participants have opportunities to learn new skills in beading, sewing, hair care, and makeup from local artists and engage in mental health and youth worker’s rights workshops. 

There is also as well as youth games and creative nights and the continuation of their Women’s Wellness and Vocational Circle. 

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Adebola Adefioye (centre) offers a tour of the AWYF community centre, including its clothing and food bank, to members of the Greater Sudbury Development Corp. The Afro Women and Youth Foundation received an almost $140,000 funding boost from the Greater Sudbury Development Corp., helping with their programming for Black newcomers to Sudbury. Supplied

The circle not only teaches practical skills like sewing, hairdressing, make-up design, and clay arts, the participants also work towards financial literacy and goal-setting. They also engage in networking workshops for personal, professional and economic development. Child care is offered as well to allow mothers to fully participate in the program.

Last year, with the support of Sudbury Credit Union, the foundation was able to bring holiday food baskets to 20 Black newcomer women in Sudbury.

AWYF is inviting Black newcomers to Sudbury to an open house on Friday, July 5 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at their community centre, located at 1191 Lansing Avenue, Unit 8, in order to meet the staff and learn more about their programs and services.

RSVP here to confirm your attendance.

You can find more information about the Afro Women and Girls Foundation here. 

Women & Girls is made possible through our Community Leaders Program.