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No time for second-guessing
“This is your future. You are allowed to raise the alarm on this.” Aliénor Rougeot, program manager for climate and energy at Environmental Defense, encourages future generations to embrace the urgency of the climate crisis—even if they feel ill-equipped to speak on the subject. Acknowledging a certain apprehension that youth may hold in expressing their views on a matter so complex, Rougeot—who was featured in an earlier Youth Mind issue—reassures that the climate activism movement is one of collaborative support. She says that the movement is not one in infancy; there are experienced people to help those just starting out. Fridays for Future Toronto, a branch of the global youth-led…
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More than just a pretty painting
“People don’t value mental health the same way they value roads and bridges,” says Nick Sweetman, whose towering murals grace the streets of Toronto. In a conversation about the utility of art and how his work has affected communities, Sweetman acknowledges the simple importance of connecting with people—some of whom may be in dire need of connection—in ways that can’t otherwise be expressed. “I got into art to have conversations with people,” he says. A city like Toronto is no stranger to street art, from the unburdened explosivity of graffiti to grander masterpieces that people slow down for and everything in between. Like many others, Sweetman’s work does more than…
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The market price of freedom
Student loans, mortgage prices and insurance payments tally up to a significant sacrifice made to remain a functioning member of society. Amid all this, young people entering adulthood may be forced to choose between what they want and what they need. In an economy that is continually shifting and changing, finance experts advise people to start young when it comes to learning about money. “Financial knowledge is financial freedom,” says Ariana Masse, chief marketing officer at PennyDrops. Created by two McGill University students in 2015, PennyDrops offers personal finance courses and guidance to young people ranging from high school into post-secondary. Their extensive programs cover personal budgeting, credit cards, loans…
