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What is this project about?
The Thrive Youth AI-Integrated Mentorship Program represents an innovative fusion of physical wellness and digital literacy, designed specifically for underserved BIPOC youth in Richmond Hill and Waterloo. Over 10 weeks, 40 high school students (20 per location) will participate in a transformative program that combines weekly basketball sessions with hands-on artificial intelligence and coding education using Replit, the leading AI-powered coding platform.
Each 2-hour weekly session begins with basketball activities that build teamwork, physical health, and engagement, followed by structured AI workshops where students learn practical coding skills, develop AI projects, and hear from guest speakers: entrepreneurs, software developers, and professionals using AI across diverse industries. Students receive Replit credits to practice skills during workshops and at home, breaking down barriers to technology access.
This dual approach recognizes that today's youth need both physical resilience and digital fluency to thrive in the 21st century. By meeting students where their passion lies (sports) and connecting it to where opportunity exists (technology careers), we create pathways to success that traditional educational models often miss for marginalized communities.
Why is this project important to the community?
Richmond Hill High School serves a high BIPOC population adjacent to two low-income government housing complexes. Waterloo Collegiate Institute serves an incredibly diverse student body. Both schools lack integrated programming that combines engagement-driven sports with future-ready technology education.
The digital divide isn't just about access to computers. It's about access to opportunity. High school students from underserved communities, especially BIPOC youth, face enormous barriers entering tech fields. Many schools lack updated equipment, specialized instructors, or innovative curricula to teach artificial intelligence. Even when resources exist, students don't engage because programs don't connect to their interests.
Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is reshaping every sector: healthcare, finance, entertainment, transportation, education. The jobs of tomorrow will require digital fluency and AI literacy. Yet the students who need these skills most are often left behind, told implicitly or explicitly that tech isn't for them.
Youth in Richmond Hill and Waterloo need positive spaces to build community, stay active, and develop confidence. Basketball brings people together and creates belonging. But physical activity alone isn't enough to change trajectories.
This program addresses both needs by meeting students where their passion lies and connecting it to where opportunity exists.
Target Completion Date
April 20, 2026
Location
201 Yorkland St, Richmond Hill, ON L4S 1A2 & Waterloo Collegiate Institute
Richmond Hill & Waterloo
L4S1A2 & N2L3P2