Chuka (he/him) is a Policy Research Associate at YouthREX. He received a Master's degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia in 2021, with his research focusing on the interrelations between drug prohibition and its enforcement, racial inequity, and neoliberalism. He previously worked in the labour movement.

Outside of work, Chuka pursues fiction and political writing, and is motivated by visions of an anti-capitalist future.

Rebecca (she/her) is a Research and Evaluation Associate at YouthREX. She studied psychology at Saint Mary's University and completed her MSc. in Health Services Research (with emphasis in outcomes & evaluation) at the University of Toronto.

Rebecca has experience in the health care and non-profit sector, where she has focused on youth mental health through her roles as a youth peer support worker and research/evaluator. She values being connected with community, and is passionate about the creation and strengthening of systems and spaces where youth feel safe, empowered, nurtured, and valued for who they are.

Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys volunteering in her community, exploring coffee shops, reading, trying new crafty hobbies, and learning ASL.

Kathe (she/her) is the Knowledge Exchange Director at YouthREX. She is a registered social worker with extensive experience in communications, advocacy, public education, counselling, and community building, having supported a variety of projects across not-for-profit organizations and community-based initiatives.

Kathe is a former film student, seasoned storyteller, engaged lover of art and music, amateur star-gazer, novice embroiderer, and pop culture trivia guru.

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Justin (he/him) is a dedicated Research Assistant at YouthREX and a first-year advanced standing student pursuing a Master's of Social Work at York University. With a BSW degree from York University and a Social Service Work Diploma from Sheridan College, Justin has a solid foundation in social work and service delivery.

Proficient in establishing effective helping relationships within an anti-oppressive framework, Justin adheres to the ethical, legal, and practice standards set forth by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. His commitment to social justice and equity is evident in his work. Throughout his academic and professional journey, Justin has garnered more than four years of valuable work experience and consistently been praised as hard-working by professors and peers.

As a first-generation Canadian who was born and raised in Jamaica, Justin brings a unique perspective to his work. Having witnessed the impact of poverty on health and the marginalization of Blackness, they are dedicated to addressing institutional racism and socioeconomic discrimination. They aspire to become a leader in mental health research, advocacy, and service delivery on local, national, and international scales.

Driven by a desire to positively influence the lives of others and transform communities, Justin chose social work to address barriers to mental health support and employment faced by vulnerable populations. His experiences as a crisis intervention officer and frontline staff in a community mental health organization have reinforced his commitment to researching and connecting people to mental health services. Furthermore, his internship experience with an organization assisting refugees and newcomers deepened his understanding of how social factors influence mental health and wellbeing.

Justin believes that leadership is about executing a vision, gaining knowledge, developing skills, and living the values of integrity, ethics, honesty, respect, humility, and service. With his MSW, he aims to become an effective leader in the fields of mental health and service delivery. By helping to create greater access to opportunities that promote health and welfare within his community, Justin strives to make a positive impact on the lives of those he serves.

Jenny (she/her) is a Research Assistant at YouthREX. She is interested in how language intersects with social and cultural identity and hopes to work with the youth sector in the future. She is currently completing an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from York University.

During her free time, she volunteers with a variety of non-profit organizations, ranging from providing resources to those with disabilities, to raising awareness for mental health. She also enjoys learning languages, reading true crime novels, and consuming horror media.

Sinthu (she/her) is a Research Assistant with YouthREX. Sinthu loves qualitative research (especially Institutional Ethnography) and has published her work in the British Journal of Social Work, Health & Social Work, and Intersectionalities: A Global Journal of Social Work Analysis, Research, Policy, and Practice.

Sinthu is also a passionate social worker at the University Health Network’s Red Blood Cell Disorders clinic. Here, Sinthu applies social justice, human rights, and anti-oppressive frameworks to provide counselling and advocacy to people with sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and other hemoglobinopathies. She has practice interests in supporting people at the intersections of racism and ableism.

Outside of work, Sinthu enjoys learning how to play the guitar, reading books, and spending time with her friends and family. One of her most favourite pastimes is watching theatre and musicals.

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A youth coach who provides young people with the right knowledge and skills needed to lead better lives while contributing positively to the sustainable development of society.

Master of Arts in Comparative Literature & Arts, Brock University, Post Graduate certification in Public relations, York University (in view).

I am a wife, mother, writer,  and digital content creator who loves to dance to the beautiful afrobeat of West Africa. I speak English fluently and the Igbo language with a touch of French.

kelechi.favoureronmhonsele

Uzo Anucha (she/her) is the Founder and Provincial Academic Director of YouthREX. She is the York Research Chair in Youth and Contexts of Inequity and an Associate Professor at the School of Social Work, York University. Her educational background includes a PhD in Social Work from the University of Toronto; MSW and BSW from York University; and BSc and MSc from University of Nigeria.

Uzo’s community-engaged research is focused on critical youth work. She conceptualizes her research as a community dialogue that is centred on equitable collaborations with community stakeholders. Her research projects emphasize multi-methods / multi-focal research that make space for multi perspectives.

Uzo has served on a variety of boards, including being appointed by an Order in Council by the Government of Ontario to the Board of Directors of the Central Local Health Integrated Network for two terms of six years (2011-2017). She is currently on the Board of Directors of the York Region Children’s Aid Society.

Corliss Bean is a member of YouthREX’s Provincial Academic Network. She is an Assistant Professor within the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Brock University. Her educational background includes a PhD, MA, and BSc from the University of Ottawa in Human Kinetics, with particular focus on Sport Psychology.

Corliss’s research involves working with community organizations at local and national levels to develop, implement, and evaluate their programming with the goal of fostering youth psychosocial development and building organizational and/or community capacity. She is also committed to bridging research and practice through accessible media including blogs, webinars, and workshops. Corliss has extensive publication and granting records.

Corliss presently facilitates two of YouthREX’s online certificates, including Program Evaluation for Youth Wellbeing and Using Spreadsheets in Program Evaluation. Corliss is also a Credentialed Evaluator certified by the Canadian Evaluation Society. She also sits on variety of boards, including being a delegate on Canadian Tire Jumpstart Community and an Academic Partner within the Research and Evaluation Team at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment LaunchPad. 

@corliss_bean

Kristen Lwin is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Windsor, and has social work practice, child welfare research and program evaluation, and knowledge mobilization experience over the past 20 years.

Prior to her current academic position, Kristen served as the Executive Director of a national non-profit child welfare knowledge mobilization organization for six years.

Kristen’s teaching and research focuses on Evidence-based/informed Practice and examining whether child welfare worker characteristics play a role in their decisions and practice.