Episode 18: Black Youth Still Matter | REST Centres and Youth Homelessness in 2022
About the Guests:
Nikima Leslie
Program Manager | REST Centres | She/Her
Nikima is a professional with over 18 years of experience in the social service sector. She has strong research, community engagement, program and community development planning skills and experiences, and an innate passion to serve people.
Nikima's faith drives her outlook on life's challenges and how she sees people.
Jacqui Henri
Case Manager | REST Centres | She/Her
Jacqui was born and raised in London, England, and graduated from the London School of Economics (LSE) with a BSc. in Social Policy and Administration.
She spent ten years working at a number of local council and community-based organizations. After gaining varied work experience, and honing her considerable leadership skills, Jacqui followed her passion for community activism by founding JUMP 2K, a charitable youth organization in the UK.
Her outstanding work and contributions to her community were recognized when she was awarded a Millennium Fellowship by the UK Government. Her JUMP 2K organization gained national and international exposure, and also went on to win numerous awards, including the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services.
After moving from the UK to Toronto, Ontario, Jacqui initially worked as a School Liaison/Campaigner for UNICEF Canada, and then later as a Management Consultant to a number of non-profit organisations. She has been employed full-time position with the REST Centres since 2019.
About the Host:
Mya Moniz
Peer Support Leader | REST Centres She/Her
Mya is an independent youth and Former Crown Ward of the Peel Children’s Aid Society. She’s achieved an Honours Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction from the University of Toronto in English, Professional Writing and Communications, and Sociology. She also sits at the Senior Leadership Table for the Peel Alliance to End Homelessness as a youth with lived experience.
Mya believes there is great power in healing, growth, and catharsis through writing and storytelling, and she strives to help others tell their stories the way she tells hers.