About The MINA Project

The MINA Project is an equity-led initiative and is the namesake of a Canadian immigrant woman who overcame societal barriers to help provide better economic opportunities for her children while also contributing to the improvement of her community.

The MINA Project provides access to career-related experiential learning, soft skills development, and access to summer internships for youth who lack access or face barriers to opportunity. The project challenges inequalities and systemic barriers faced by racialized and Indigenous youth of any sexual orientation through employer engagement, mentoring, skills development, the building of social capital, and access to economic opportunities.

The MINA Project will inspire the emerging workforce while supporting our professional industries by helping to build a diverse and inclusive talent pipeline through two programs: Inspiring Futures and Inspiring Work.

Our Mission

We empower equity-deserving youth by providing experiential learning, skill development, and career opportunities to help build a more inclusive and equitable society.

Our Vision

All youth have an equal opportunity to succeed.

boy and girl smiling at phone.jpeg — How teenagers think about their futures in work and what they do to explore and experience workplaces within and outside of schools is consistently associated with better-than-expected employment outcomes in adulthood.

*Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)*

2023-24 Impact Report

Our Impact

2022-23 Impact Report

2021-22 Impact Report

Why We Do What We Do

The MINA Project was developed based on research with employee engagement evidence-based programming, and consultations with youth we aim to serve, educators, social workers, community organizations and corporate partners.

Making the Connection

A future career seems a long way off for most children and youth, but the evidence suggests that giving children the chance to meet volunteers from the world helps them to see the meaning and relevance of the subjects they are studying at school work.

Increase Achievement

Early intervention can be a very cost effective targeted way of raising children’s’ aspirations and broadening their horizons. Embedding experiences of the real-world in learning and the school curriculum can lead to increased motivation resulting in increased academic achievement.

Learn Through Experience

There needs to be strong links between education, training and the working world. Yet, it is estimated that less than half of young Canadians have access to programs that prioritize this approach. (Experiential Learning and Pathways to Employment for Canadian Youth Report)

Project Values

Diversity, Inclusion and Equity

We are committed to equitable treatment and elimination of discrimination in all its forms at all project levels and throughout all programs.
We are committed to diversity in all staff, volunteers, and collaborators, including participation in programs, policy formulation, and decision-making.
Truth and Reconciliation

Recognition that Indigenous cultures are vibrant, diverse, and important communities and peoples who contribute to Canada's overall diversity.
By pursuing truth, acknowledging Indigenous territories, and encouraging reconciliation for our First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples each member of our community, regardless of their role, is also living our values of being accountable, driven, and transparent.
Integrity and Respect

Fundamental principles for how we engage with participants, staff, volunteers, groups, organizations and institutions. We aim to uphold the highest ethical standards fostering a trusting and positive environment.
Our aim is to ensure activities are carried out in an ethically, environmentally, and socially responsible manner.
Innovation

Comes from diversity, from different perspectives and different storytellers. It fosters creativity that challenges constraints and drives progress.
We are committed to regularly assessing the effectiveness and appropriateness of our work and will always be willing to adapt and improve our methods when necessary.
Collaboration and Flexibility

Acknowledging the vision, to provide all youth with an equal opportunity to succeed, requires working together.

Ability to change if circumstances change, and empowering our community in an environment that is conducive to creating the optimal work/life balance.