The Gifts of Our People
The Gifts of Our People is an Affinity Group that was created in July of 2020 in response to the heavy climate of racism, police brutality and discrimination experienced that summer following the murder of George Floyd. During this time, The New Mentality rose to the occasion in the midst of our 8-Week Virtual Disable the Label retreat, to change all previous programming and instead chose to respond to the pressing needs of our black, Indigenous and youth of colour in this network.
In this programming change, the need for our BIPOC youth to have a safe space to unpack issues that mattered to them was prioritized. With advocacy from past and present network members, anti-racism advisory meetings and support of CMHO funding, The Gifts of Our People became a annual program starting in November of 2021.
The purpose of this project is to build trust and meaningful relationships, and to understand the experiences of BIPOC Youth in our network. Our hope is that this Affinity Group will create a culture of belonging, allowing BIPOC youth to bring their culture, identity, spirituality, religion, and lived experience to the space. This project is a part of TNM’s long-term commitment to embed anti-racism into all our practices.
About the Program
The Gifts of Our People Youth Leadership program is designed to support, foster connectivity and community for youth while encouraging mental health advocacy in a way that centers BIPOC youth voices. We recruit 10 awesome BIPOC youth (ages 13–24).
We meet virtually every other week.
Benefits:
- It’s FREE!
- CMHO Certificate of Completion, recognizing your contribution
- Participant Honorarium based on active participation
- Connect with other BIPOC youth
- Create change by leading a project to educate the wider community and stakeholders
What do we do?
- Share stories & ideas in a safe, affirming space
- Discuss the experience of BIPOC youth within the mental health system
- Explore how systems (like healthcare or schools) support—or fail—BIPOC youth
- Design & lead a project that can educate the wider community on how to support BIPOC youth with mental health
Why Should I Join?
- Build community with like-minded peers
- Grow leadership & advocacy skills
- Create real tools to educate the wider community and stakeholders (guides, poems, or other resources!)
Leave your mark on mental health support for BIPOC youth
How does it work?
Virtual (Zoom) | 1.5 hours meetings | 2 meetings/month
January through to May 2026
We use interactive tools (like Miro, discussion boards, and creative activities) to keep it engaging, collaborative, and fun!
HOSTING TEAM
The Gifts of Our People program is hosted by Adult Ally, Devonna “D3VYNN3” Munroe, Diya as Junior Facilitator and Gin as Youth Advisor. The program will also provide occasional emotional support by our network Social Worker Schantel Spencer.
Devonna “D3VYNN3” Munroe
Devonna “D3VYNN3” Munroe is a multidisciplinary artist, cultural alchemist, and educator from Scarborough with proud Guyanese roots. Her work lives at the intersection of storytelling, ceremony, movement, and music. She thoughtfully blends diasporic traditions with contemporary performance to create transformative experiences that speak to healing, identity, and liberation.
For over a decade, Devonna has designed innovative, arts-based learning spaces across Ontario as a classroom teacher, curriculum designer, and director. She is also a long-time facilitator with Children’s Mental Health Ontario, where she supports racialized youth in reclaiming their voices and transforming lived experiences into leadership, creative expression, and community care.
As a performer and emerging theatre-maker, Devonna weaves poetry, song, mythology, and divination into immersive works that honour her ancestors, cultivate joy, and invite audiences to reflect. Her artistic values: liberation, creativity, wellness, integrity, wisdom, and connection shape every aspect of her practice. Whether designing retreats, crafting rituals, or building narratives, she centres softness, culture, and the belief that everyone can redesign their story.
Devonna is currently developing Wonder Seeker, an experimental performance project inspired by her children’s story about courage, rebirth, and finding liberation after grief. Through this work, and through her broader creative ecosystem, she remains committed to building sacred, imaginative spaces where people can breathe, remember themselves, and unlock their potential
Diya
Hi, I’m Diya (they/them)! I’m a 21 year old youth advocate for marginalized youth in the GTA and I’ve been involved with The New Mentality since the ninth grade. Through TNM, many opportunities arose for me to enact change through a critical and intersectional-informed lens of the mental health system and its’ many barriers and strengths. DTL has been transformational for me and I can’t wait to meet and learn from all the youth attending this year! In my free time, I enjoy baking, writing music, and watching movie/show commentaries on Youtube— please come and chat with me about our shared interests or differences!
Gin
Raised in Northern Ontario, at 23 I’m a long-time queer and BIPOC youth advocate, currently doing my undergraduate in Psychology and Criminology. Having been with The New Mentality for some time now, I hope to support incoming and future youth in their own growth through the program, and outside of it!
Schantel Spencer
Schantel Spencer is a dedicated and compassionate social worker with more than 20 years of experience providing counselling and psychotherapy to children and youth in a variety of settings. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and has developed strong skills in addressing complex social issues, supporting clients through mental health challenges, and advocating for marginalized communities.
Schantel works as a school social worker, offering individual and group counselling in areas such as mental health, behavioural challenges, positive behavioural support, and experiences of oppression. Her practice is client-centred, goal-oriented, strength base, and uses mindfulness frameworks. Her approach to the work is always grounded in compassion, collaboration, connectedness, and the therapeutic use of humour.
Schantel is committed to continuous learning and actively engages in workshops, seminars, and ongoing professional development. She is a strong advocate for self-care and mental health awareness within and beyond the workplace.
As a racialized female therapist, Schantel roots her work in anti-oppression, anti-racism, and in social justice. She uses a culturally sensitive and responsive approach to create a safe, comfortable therapeutic space where clients can explore difficult topics with care, kindness, and without judgment.
Schantel Spencer exemplifies empathy, resilience, and dedication, making a meaningful and lasting impact on the young people and communities she serves.
THE GIFTS OF OUR PEOPLE ZINE
In June 2023, The Gifts of Our People released their first Zine. The purpose of this Zine is to showcase the impact the group has had on Black, Indigenous, and racialized youth within TNM’s network.
In addition to the impact, the Zine aims to highlight the importance of building brave spaces for racialized youth.
To read The Gifts of Our People Zine, please click here.
Please note that our organization does not directly provide mental health services.
To find a Children’s Mental Health Centre near you, click here.
If you are in a crisis, please call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.