YADA Project (The Youth Advocacy of Drugs Awareness)

FUTFS worked with about eight youth leaders who were willing to take the initiative to promote healthy living in Toronto. Through the YADA Project, preventative education and activities were focused on, rather than a one-stop treatment. This project addressed the importance of abstinence and healthy living among people of all ages in Toronto, mainly using posters as a tool to interact and engage with the community.



Running from September 15, 2019 to March 15, 2020, the YADA project enabled youth to engage the community in the tobacco use cessation movement. The YADA project consisted of three main parts: poster drawing sessions, where participants came up with their own themes regarding healthy lifestyles which they applied to their posters; three educational sessions with topics as outlined above, as well as lessons from the youth leaders; and three poster exhibitions in public places to raise awareness, campaigns and surveys which will improve their networking skills. They utilized the resources that were available to them and worked through to a rewarding conclusion. An evaluation day was held on February 25, 2020, where youth participants and leaders received recognition for their hard work during the project. Through the YADA project, youths have been able to connect with the community, run the smoking campaign, and use their own resources to produce good result.