1. Who should apply for TASSA’s Summer Workshops?

TASSA is a great fit for South Asian and Indo-Caribbean youth (and allies) aged 15-20 who: 

• are interested in one or more issues of justice and solidarity, including (but definitely not limited to) racial justice, gender justice, justice for workers, disability justice, climate justice, transit justice, interfaith and multiracial alliances and more

• want to learn practical skills to make change in their communities

• are interested in participating in interactive community education workshops

• are open to learning and building community

We also value all types of experience (e.g., family caregiving, community care, advocacy, activism, social justice volunteerism, community organizing) that applicants might have!

2. How do I apply for TASSA’s 2024 Summer Workshop Series?

Use this online form.  Applications are due June 30, 2024.  Applicants will hear back from TASSA by mid July.

3. What are TASSA’s goals?

The goal of the summer workshop series is to support youth participants to feel affirmed to build power and solidarity, to be empowered to work together to put what they learn into action to make change, and to build a community of peers and mentors.

4. What exactly do you mean by South Asian and Indo-Caribbean?

“South Asian” and “Indo-Caribbean” can refer to a person who has roots in what is now Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.  This also includes people in the diasporas whose ancestors migrated from places in South Asia and built communities in other places - including but not limited to: Canada, Fiji, Guyana, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Mauritius, the Persian Gulf, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, Uganda, the USA, and many places in between. We recognize that there are *many* ways that people describe their racial and ethnic identities (e.g., Brown, West Indian, Muslim, Kashmiri, Eelam Tamil, Punjabi, mixed-race, Sikh, Sindhi, desi, Gujarati, Tamil, etc.) and welcome all who identify as having roots in, or a diasporic connection to, these places and ways of identifying.

5. I’m not South Asian or Indo-Caribbean. Can I still apply?

Affinity spaces can be really helpful to support us to think about how we show up for ourselves and each other. If the programming feels like a fit for you and you are an ally, you are welcome to apply. Reach out to us at TOareasolidaritysummeralliance@gmail.com if you have questions.

6. Why does TASSA exist?

We exist to build South Asian and Indo-Caribbean youth power!  We’re inspired by our peers at Chicago Desi Youth Rising, Desis Rising Up and Moving, and Bay Area Solidarity Summer and local GTA-based youth organizing that is committed to building youth power.  We’re also inspired by what we’ve learned from histories of social movements and thought it was time to make space here in the Greater Toronto Area.  

7. What if I don't know my summer schedule yet? 

We will make selections from applications by mid-July.  We ask that you confirm your schedule (e.g., shifts at work, family events, school commitments) to allow you to fully participate in the workshop series you select. If things change and you can no longer attend, please email us asap so that we can open up a space for another participant.

8. Who is facilitating TASSA’s workshops? Will there be chaperones at the two-day event?

TASSA’s adult facilitators will be present throughout the event.  TASSA’s lead facilitator is an experienced educator and youth worker and TASSA facilitators all have lots of youth work experience.  We will be accessible and available for conversations to support you, as well as your parent(s)/guardian(s)/family if they have questions.

9. Is there a fee to participate?  How will you recognize youth participants?

There is no fee to participate.  We honour youth time and labour!  Accepted participants will receive a certificate and be paid a $100 honorarium for participating in both days of the program.  We’ll also provide lunch and snacks each day.

10. This is cool! What else can TASSA youth participants get involved in?

🌱 TASSA is growing! In addition to the Summer Workshop Series, we will be offering programming for TASSA cohort members during the 2024-2025 year, as well as for the broader community. Look out for more information in Fall 2024, and check out the “Coming Soon…” section of our site. You can also email us to be added to our email list. In the meantime, be sure to apply for our 2024 Summer Workshop Series!

11. I still have a question!

Email us at TOareasolidaritysummeralliance@gmail.com 🙂!