2017-2023

As a team, we often joke that Project UP’s inception in 2017 was a miracle and an anomaly. A miracle because we – a group of young, dedicated undergraduate students – had no idea what it meant to begin tackling the challenges of social isolation and lack of resources/support identified within our community. An anomaly because we had no reference point for Black youth-led organizing in the Waterloo Region. When we first created Project UP, we had no idea it would expand to encompass the range of programs, opportunities and community-driven support we provide today.

Project UP (Unleash Potential) began with a single vision: to provide young Black Muslim girls with a space to connect, gain skills and build community. Through the generous support of local and provincial funders, organizational mentors, and ongoing contributions from our community, we have been fortunate to deliver high-quality programs and events these last 6 years. Some of our highlights from these incredible years include:

• Securing a 3-year Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant in 2020 to run consistent athletic, mentorship and art-based programs 

• Providing direct supports (food vouchers and technology) to over 100 local Black Muslim families at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

• Developing a mental health referral Pathway with Kind Minds Family Wellness to support youth during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Establishing a youth internship program to develop the next generation of community leaders

• Fostering a deep sense of community for Black Muslim girls in the Region

Despite our wonderful accomplishments over the years, Project UP, like many local organizations, faced the colossal challenges presented by COVID-19. The changes in restrictions and the lockdown forced us to reimagine how to engage our community virtually while trying to keep the spirit of sisterhood alive. We had to overcome numerous obstacles to continue to show up for our community at a time when they needed even more support, and while we rose to the occasion, it was not without its difficulties.

In addition, with the ongoing challenges of securing sustainable funding for our work, and the natural ebb and flow of our individual and collective journeys, we, as a team, have come to the difficult decision to end Project UP operations on June 30th, 2023, following the end of our provincial grant. While this decision is saddening in many ways, we also recognize that the legacy of Project UP will not end with the closing of our doors; we know that our community of brilliant Black Muslim girls will continue to create safe spaces for community building on their own terms. 

We are grateful for the impact we’ve had as a grassroots organization serving our community, and we owe a lot to the girls we serve, the families they are a part of, and the local organizations that gave us the tools, support and mentorship to help us make a positive change in Waterloo Region. Furthermore, we would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the funders that supported our work over the years, including the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Waterloo Region Arts Fund, Waterloo Region Community Foundation, PHE Canada, the Immigration Partnership.