Canadian actress and filmmaker Kalista Zackhariyas has started her own not for profit foundation called The Youth Code and held her inaugural fundraiser show in Toronto last night, on March 16th. The event took place in downtown Toronto, at One King Street West.
The Youth Code Foundation has a unique focus. Dedicated to creating new initiatives and supporting existing programs, they inspire and nurture children recovering from abuse through arts and movement therapy based activities. Inspired by Zackhariyas’ personal journey with childhood abuse and homelessness, this organization is the first of its kind.
The Youth Code has recently partnered with Peel Children’s Aid Foundation and Women’s Habitat to test and implement new pilot programs. Driven by their own unique focus, The Youth Code plans to expand their efforts across Canada.
The foundation aims to offer children in recovery the chance to participate in arts and recreational programs such as music, drama, visual arts, dance, martial arts, and sports. As studies show, many children resist a verbal approach to therapy. “Both art and physical therapy are well-documented and important methods in addressing the emotional pain of young survivors of violence”, says Zachkariyas. “These programs go far beyond recreational activities. They are highly effective as emotional and physical outlets and aid in the treatment of trauma disorders for at risk child survivors of abuse.” With over three decades of research, these methods can drastically reduce long-term behavioral and emotional consequences into adulthood.
The Youth Code believes that every child deserves to dream and enjoy a life beyond just surviving. Their dedication to making this happen has made this their code. Please join us for an inspirational evening and chose to make it your code.
The inaugural fundraiser event for The Youth Code Foundation from last night was an inspirational evening, with a live show hosted by Veronica Chail and the international supermodel Sam Sarapong. Cocktails reception, gourmet food stations and a variety of celebrity performances from vastly different disciplines have been part of the event. Among many celebrity performers who got involved in this event were international recording artist and war child Emmanuel Jal, “So You Think You Can Dance” winner Jordan Clark, recording artist Jesse Giddings.
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