program Schedule
Unity Weeks and Workshops in Schools, Annual Unity Festival
The Inspire Program offers free, educational, short-term initiatives, performances, events, and workshops that inform young audiences about Hip Hop art forms and their power to positively express stress and anxiety.
Weekly Drop-in and Registered Programs Online and in Community Spaces
Unity’s ENGAGE Programs are high impact, weekly ‘Hip Hop meets mental health’ workshop series where participants learn historical and technical elements of Hip Hop art forms, while building transferable skills, creating relationships, and accessing resources that help improve overall resilience. Unity delivers these programs in partnership with over 30 community organizations across Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Manitoba.
Unity Artist Facilitators, Unity Artist Network, Volunteers
Unity seeks to EMPOWER youth and young Hip Hop artists by providing employment, professional development, volunteer and leadership opportunities to further support their personal, creative, and economic development. Unity’s primary EMPOWER opportunity is our Artist Facilitator roster, a front-line team of Hip Hop artists from Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba that deliver all of our INSPIRE and ENGAGE programs across Canada, with many Artists recruited from Unity’s ENGAGE programs.
Our Impact
25000
+
Youth were inspired through Unity Weeks and the annual Unity Fest
72
%
Of youth learned positive ways to express their stress
63
%
Of youth gained an interest in exploring Hip Hop art forms, events and programs
67
%
Of youth became more aware of the community, mental health, arts-based and wellness resources available to them
6463
Youth accessed free, weekly Hip Hop meets mental health programming
87
%
Of participants on average gained protective factors and employability skills
96
%
Of youth on average reported that the programs fostered inclusive spaces
96
%
Of youth on average reported improved resilience
60
+
Artists annually gained creative, business, mentorship & facilitation skills
86
%
Of emerging hip hop artists on Unity’s Roster reported developing peer and industry networks
90
%
Of artists reported increased confidence and resilience
94
%
Of artists reported that Unity’s training opportunities were applicable to their work both within and beyond Unity
