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Coach/Advocate for Black Students

Within a Catholic learning environment, Coach/Advocates for Black Students (CABS) will work within schools to support the implementation of programs, services and other supports to meet the needs of underserved Black students and their families, with a focus on student well-being and success.

This role was established as part of DCDSB’s commitment to recognizing and dismantling anti-Black racism and systemic barriers. The CABS role is one way that the Durham Catholic district school board is working to change this reality for our students.

Two male adults smiling

Coach/Advocate-Led Initiatives

In July 2022, the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) partnered with Ontario Tech University and Queen’s University for a specialized STEM camp for Black youth. During the two-week-long camp, over 150 DCDSB elementary students in Grades 7 and 8 and secondary students in Grades 9 and 10 built and created structures, such as structurally sound bridges, learned to code and use robotics, and created bottle rockets.

Prior to the two-week camp, Grade 11 & 12 students were hired through a Focus on Youth (FOY) initiative. The Coach/Advocates collaborated with the Women's Multicultural Centre where 10 FOY students were taught financial literacy, leadership training and much more. These 10 students were then selected to be student leaders for the STEM camp for the following two weeks.

Watch the video below:

CAMH Visit

Male and female students in a boardroom

In the summer of 2022, the Focus on Youth (FOY) students visited the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) where they were provided with the opportunity to meet with various professionals. This visit allowed them to expand their knowledge of career opportunities, such as Nursing, Social Work, Data analysis, lab technicians and more. The students were enlightened, educated, and felt empowered as they engaged in impactful conversations that will shape the decisions made throughout their future careers.

Contact the Coach/Advocates for Black Students

Please contact us at cabs@dcdsb.ca.