On December 21, 2020, Yayra-Si Youth Foundation held its landmark fundraiser in Canada, Holiday Paint Night, which offered a guided painting session, free drink and holiday-themed photo opportunities to 30 participants from various Toronto communities.
The event was held at Vanta Coffee Club and Eatery, a coffee shop in Scarborough that has been featured on blogTO for its innovative drinks and chic decor. Ali Baddredine, co-founder of the cafe, agreed to collaborate after Sauliha Alli, Executive Director for YSYF Canada, reached out in November about the organization’s vision.
The evening featured a presentation on the foundation’s previous initiatives, as well as plans to build a vocational school in Doryumu, Ghana that would economically empower women, helping them to escape poverty and teenage pregnancy. Following this, there was a guided painting session led by instructor Alissa Lee, manager of Paint Lounge in Markham, Ontario.
In-kind donations were made by Yaymaker Toronto and Biology Students’ Association at the University of Toronto, who offered easels, paint brushes, and tablecloths.
Attendees included loyal Vanta customers, students at the University of Toronto, and members of the broader Agincourt community who were interested in the initiative.
In total, the fundraiser brought in $600 of profit, which will be used to fund YSYF’s projects.
