Guardians of Tomorrow Program Update: Growth, Milestones & Impact in Year 2

We’re excited to celebrate the Guardians program’s progress as we reach the second quarter of our second year. Watching this vision for local youth empowerment turn into a thriving, connected community has been nothing short of inspiring.

Our journey hasn’t been without challenges. Even though the program was free, building consistent commitment took time, especially in the early days. Our team spent countless hours connecting with families and communities, and with Imane and Kenny’s thoughtful leadership, we listened carefully and adapted as needed. Some participants, especially girls, felt uncertain about joining co-ed jiu-jitsu classes. In response, we introduced kickboxing and offered more options through Brave’s programming, so youth could explore whichever martial art spoke to them.

Supporting participants’ emotional well-being has always been central. Imane and Miti continue to offer individual therapy sessions, both online and in person, just as they have since we began. While last year also included group DBT therapy before or after class, we found that format could be overwhelming for some. Now, group sessions happen online, and Imane and Miti have thoughtfully woven psychological insights and group support activities directly into the classes themselves, making mental health support feel integrated and approachable.

Transportation has also been a key part of participation. To make sure nobody missed out because of logistics, we arranged over 100 rides—just between February and June alone. Special thanks to our Grant Coordinator, Lyan, who made this possible. Thanks to these efforts, every Sunday now sees 15 to 25 participants coming together. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch their confidence soar, friendships form, skills strengthen, and a spirit of openness and trust grow week by week. These are the true signs of a thriving community.

This year brought plenty of memorable moments. We were inspired by former Team Canada Olympian Michelle Plouffe, who shared powerful lessons on identity, resilience, and becoming one’s best self with our participants and their families. Another highlight was attending the 5 Star Jiu-Jitsu grappling event in Sherwood Park, where 20 of our participants and their families cheered on Team Brave. Coach Prince led the team to Gold, shining as one of the stars of the event—a proud and joyous day for us all.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the City’s belief in our vision. Your support has helped us create a safe, nurturing space where every participant feels seen, heard, and valued. I’ve attached a collage capturing some of this year’s most heartwarming moments—snapshots of the joy, courage, and community spirit that define Guardians.

Thank you again for your trust and partnership. We look forward to sharing many more stories and successes as the program continues to grow.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Taha Rizvi

Director of Operations – Guardians of Tomorrow Program