Empowering Youth.
Strengthening Partnerships.
Creating Safer Schools.
Centring African, Black, and Caribbean youth in Waterloo Region to co-create inclusive, safe, and welcoming school environments where every student thrives.
Building a Future Where Every Young Person Belongs
The Safety and Belonging Partnership Network (SBPN) is an initiative led by Peace For All Canada dedicated to empowering African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) youth across Waterloo Region.
We recognize that sustainable change starts with lived experience. SBPN bridges the gap between students, families, educators, and community organizations—creating a collaborative platform where young people lead the research, share their perspectives, and shape real-world solutions for school safety and inclusion.
"A community where every young person feels safe, valued, respected, included, and empowered to contribute to positive change."
CORE PRIORITIES
Youth Leadership
We equip young people with the tools, training, and confidence to act as researchers, advocates, and decision-makers on issues that directly impact their educational experience.
Community-Led Research
We examine the root causes of harm, stress, and exclusion—as well as the drivers of belonging—through research designed and executed by youth themselves.
Partnership & Collaboration
We bring together youth, families, school boards, and community organizations to build trust, break down silos, and co-design shared action plans.
Meaningful & Sustainable Change
We translate youth insights and empirical findings into practical policy recommendations and actionable framework changes within local school systems.
HOW WE WORK: KEY INITIATIVES
Throughout the project lifecycle, SBPN engages youth and community partners through targeted, high-impact activities:
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Community Safe-Space Mapping: Interactive spatial mapping exercises to identify safe, welcoming, and unsafe spaces within local schools.
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Harm & Belonging Dialogues: Facilitated peer sessions exploring systemic pressures, experiences of harm, and opportunities for healing and connection.
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Institutional Response Assessments: Youth-driven evaluations of how educational systems currently respond to safety, discrimination, and mental health concerns.
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Data & Validation Workshops: Collaborative analysis sessions where youth analyze research findings to formulate actionable community recommendations.
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Regional Youth Safety & Belonging Conference: A flagship regional gathering assembling youth, community leaders, and educational stakeholders to drive policy solutions.
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Youth Safety & Belonging Hub: Building the infrastructure for a permanent, dedicated space for ongoing youth advocacy, support, and resource sharing.
FUNDING & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Supported by the Region of Waterloo
Peace For All Canada gratefully acknowledges the Region of Waterloo for its support through the Upstream Fund.
Thank you for investing in initiatives that elevate youth leadership, strengthen community ecosystems, and foster safer, more equitable schools. Your support ensures young voices are heard, respected, and transformed into meaningful, lasting action.