ArtWorks Program
ArtWorks is a social enterprise operated by United World Voices to empower and engage homeless youth in Ottawa. ArtWorks provides youth with essential pre-employment and life skills in a casual, low pressure creative environment that bridges artistic expression with personal achievement, entrepreneurialism, and sustainable living practices. With the goal of improving the path to employment and income generation opportunities for homeless youth, ArtWorks enables participants to design, craft, and sell one-of-a-kind handcrafted items such as belts, jewelry and other household items using recycled bicycle tires and tubes and other reclaimed materials.
Guided by expert facilitators, participants develop self-confidence together with essential employment skills including production, quality assurance, and customer relations while earning income. Inspirational presentations and facilitated discussions provide a platform for group discussions relating to sustainable life off the streets, creative expression, and important work-place skills.
Community Sports Program
United World Voices has teamed up with Confederation Court Community House and Canadian Olympic bobsledder Cody Sorensen to deliver an evening sports program for at-risk youth in Ottawa. The program is available for youth from 15-18 years old. Through participation in sports, the program strives to help youth build new friendships, connect and share their experiences, and learn valuable life lessons such as sportsmanship, teamwork, and self-confidence.
Sewing and Tailoring Skills Development Program
The development of skills to earn income and benefit families is a key element of empowerment and security. UWV delivers a sewing and tailoring skills development program for low income and immigrant women to help them build the foundation for improved livelihoods. With our program, we bring the equipment and instructors to the community and adapt the program to their cultural needs. We are currently piloting this program together with Ottawa Community Housing.
The UWV Vocational Skills Centre
UWV is raising funds for the development of a dedicated vocational skills development centre. This centre will incorporate both a residency and training facility for youth that have been affected by war. The UWV Vocational Skills Centre will provide trade skills training, life skills education, and entrepreneurship/business building mentorship together with critical psychological and social support. Combined with community based needs assessment, the Centre will train, incubate, graduate, and support youth to enable them to build sustainable businesses that provide value to their local or extended communities.