UDesign Justice Initiative

Young people experience their communities every day. They walk the streets, use public transit, gather in parks, attend schools, and navigate public spaces. Yet their perspectives are not always included in conversations about how these places are designed.

We believe youth should have opportunities to be heard, contribute ideas, and take an active role in imagining the future of their communities.

Through the UDJI Youth Summer Camp, participants will be introduced to design justice, urban planning, architecture, and community-building through creative, place-based learning. Workshops, site visits, hands-on design activities, and mentorship from professionals and community leaders will encourage youth to examine their own neighbourhoods, identify challenges and opportunities, and imagine new possibilities for more equitable and inclusive communities.

By creating space for youth perspectives, we can help young people recognize that their lived experiences are valuable, and that careers in design and planning are spaces where their ideas can make a difference.

This summer, discover how creativity can help shape your community.

The 2026 UDesign Justice Youth Summer Camp is now accepting registrations! Youth are invited to take part in a free, hands-on program where they'll explore design justice, connect with their community, and bring creative ideas to life in Forest Lawn.
Throughout the camp, participants will:
- Help create community gardens
- Design public art and placemaking projects
- Experiment with photography, filmmaking, and design technology
- Develop leadership skills while working with peers, mentors, and local community members
Open to youth ages 10–19, the camp will take place August 10–21 through two one-week sessions at the Forest Lawn Community Association.

Spread the word! Share this opportunity with youth, families, educators, and community members who may be interested.

Spots are limited. Register using the QR code on the flyer or the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/
1FAlpQLScARNW5cy2ARgLGaUYJreE|Lxucldez7iUpe5xY
HzEGnZNwjg/viewform

Looking to make a difference in your community this summer? Join us in an exciting opportunity!🌱

We are seeking passionate volunteers for the UDJI Youth Summer Camp this August in the Forest Lawn Community. Share your skills and enthusiasm for educating and empowering youth with us!

Available roles include:

- Garden Mentor or Build Volunteer
- Place-making and Tactical Urbanism Volunteer
- Makerspace Volunteer
- Media Mentor
- Community Art Volunteer

Be part of a transformative experience this summer in Calgary and witness the positive impact you can have on young lives. Scan the QR code or copy the link below to get started.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWJS1b__hELtNsU4_R-ZRzPCwa0nzyqlp-B5J4f0xKLO74tQ/viewform

In recent months, the UDesign Justice Initiative has been diligently working on our summer camp initiative, aimed at providing a fun and educational program through the lens of design justice. Yet, our efforts have only thrived thanks to collaboration with the Forest Lawn Youth Empowerment & Skills Centre - YES Centre🏘️

The Youth Empowerment and Skills (YES) Centre has been incredibly gracious and welcoming, allowing us to partner with them in our mission. The YES Centre is a youth-focused non-profit organization that supports, empowers, and educates young people in Forest Lawn. Through workshops, skill development, community projects, mentorship, after-school programs, and more, the YES Centre has significantly uplifted the youth in the neighborhood.

In addition to breaking down barriers, the YES Centre fosters a safe and welcoming community for families. The UDJI has been fortunate to participate in some of their programs and witness the positive impact of their mission.

We are immensely grateful and would like to extend special recognition to Gar Gar, the President of the Forest Lawn Community Association and the Founder and Director of the YES Centre, along with all the other community members who have shown us such kindness in our efforts. Thank you for everything you do!

Ready to make a change in your community this summer? 🌟

Registration is now open for the 2026 UDesign Justice Youth Summer Camp! Join us for a week of creativity, collaboration, and hands-on design projects as we reimagine the Forest Lawn community together.

🌱 Design and build community gardens
🎨 Create public art and placemaking projects
📸 Explore photography, filmmaking, and design technology
🤝 Build leadership skills while working alongside peers and community members

This free program is open to youth ages 10-19 and runs August 10–21 (two 1-week sessions) at the Forest Lawn Community Association.

Spots are limited, so register using the QR code on the flyer or the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScARNW5cy2ARgLGaUYJreElLxucldez7iUpe5xYHzEGnZNwjg/viewform

Please share with youth, families, educators, and community members who may be interested.

This week, UDJI appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with Forest Lawn’s YES Centre. The Centre’s lunch program empowers and supports local youth by fostering a welcoming environment for community members.

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We were able to have meaningful conversations with youth from the Forest Lawn community once again, allowing us to get to know not only the neighbourhood, but those who call it home. Engaging in conversation allowed us to deepen our understanding of ways we can help creatively ignite the community this summer.

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We sincerely thank the Youth Empowerment & Skills Centre - YES Centre for their ongoing efforts and for including us in this valuable initiative!

Did you know May is Asian Heritage Month (AHM)?!

AHM recognizes the long-standing, diverse contributions of people of Asian descent to Canada. The 2026 theme is “Honouring Asian Canadians: Stories that Built Canada,” celebrating cultural richness while fighting anti-Asian racism.

Youth are often positioned as future leaders, but already they are shaping the present. Their lived experiences offer critical insight into how communities function—and where they fail.

A design justice approach asks: Who is included in decision-making?

If youth are among the most impacted, they should be among the most empowered.

Youth are not just participants, but co-creators of the spaces they move through every day.

Did you know that our Founding Director Dr. Marie Cecile Kotyk was featured in a few months ago?!

Read about Dr. Kotyk's vision for Calgary, experience and impact, and the UDesign Justice Initative!

https://www.avenuecalgary.com/city-life/cecile-kotyk-equity-social-justice-calgarys-urban-development/