Jathusha (Jj) Mahenthirarajan Email & Phone Number

Florida, United States

New York, Ny, Us

Stanford, Ca, Us

Stanford, Ca, Us

In partnership with the Office for Inclusion, Belonging and Intergroup Communication (Project currently on pause)

Stanford, Ca, Us

Stanford, Ca, Us

Richmond Hill, Ontario, Ca

Advising with strategic direction and operations, troubleshooting problems to ensure the organization is run properly, efficiently, and is able to stay true to its values and complete its mission

Richmond Hill, Ontario, Ca

L.I.G.H.T (Lead Inspire Grow Hope Transform) (www.lightcommunity.org) is a youth-run organization that equips young people with the knowledge and skills to lead local social change projects through expertly-facilitated training, experiential learning, and mentorship. Committed to influencing the nationwide and worldwide conversation on meaningful youth engagement, I secured over 150k in pilot grant funding through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. During my time as Executive Director, I directly supported the design, implementation and evaluation of dozens of simultaneous community initiatives yearly through our six programs: One Child One World (addressed educational inequalities arising due to income disparities), Change Starts Today (engaged youth in social justice work), Books Before Looks (supported positive identity development through literacy), Leaders for LibHERty (worked on issues pertinent to girls and gender justice), Start Small (fostered character development and civic competencies in children), and Spark Health (improved mental health outcomes).Some of these initiatives included dozens of free S.T.E.A.M. camps and tutoring programs for low-income, newcomer and Syrian refugee children; critical reading buddy programs to promote literacy and positive self-identity; sexual consent educational events; three annual social justice conferences; coding workshops for kids. Much of this was possible due to community support and a generous $150k pilot funding by Ontario Trillium Foundation.L.I.G.H.T. has now launched a new fellowship program, a policy advocacy arm, and as well several chapters across Canada!

I use inclusive leadership and a multigenerational lens to boost youth engagement and advocate for mental wellness through consulting, training and speaking. I work with organizations that are ready to move beyond buzzwords like “diversity” and “inclusion” and are serious about getting youth engagement work done RIGHT! My mission is to inspire, equip, and amplify youth leaders and support organizations wanting to create opportunities for young people to realize their full potential.I have spoken to and/or performed spoken word poetry to over 25,000 people in Canada and United States on topics such as the power of mentorship, youth empowerment, civic education, inclusive leadership, mental health & illness, girls education, sexual violence, etc.Recent engagements:- Keynote Speaker at Social Enterprise World Forum- Keynote Speaker at Design 4 Good Challenge hosted by SAP and GENYOUth- Keynote Speaker for Girls High School Leadership Camp in SriLanka - Panelist on "Activism: the Secret Sauce for Social Change" for SAP's Global Month of Service- Speaker and Workshop Facillitator at WYSE National Leadership Training Conference- Contracted to write and perform a custom spoken-word poem for York Region Arts Council- Reached 90 racialized youth through custom workshop series on mental health (learn more below under volunteer project "Let's Talk Taboo: Mental Health")- Panelist on "Anti-Racism & Inclusion" panel on #buildupwomen series- Keynote Speaker at the annual South Asian & Tamil Womxn's Collective Wellbeing Conference

Verdun, Quebec, Ca

Walldorf, Bw, De

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

Ottawa, Ontario, Ca

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

Gatineau, Quebec, Ca

Atlanta, Georgia, Us

Jathusha founded Ontario's very first chapter of Girl Talk, a girls mentoring program, that aims to help young teenaged girls build self-esteem, develop leadership skills and recognize the value of community service. - Selected as International Leader of the Year and flown to international office at Atlanta, Georgia to be honoured as well as support the implementation of the annual Girl Talk summer camp - Spoke as a representative of Girl Talk Inc. at the Thirty One conference in Ohio to 10,000 people- Recruited 25 mentors and facilitated trainings for mentors to empower dozens of middle school girls; hosts events and meetings- Oversaw functioning, data entry, file correspondence, evaluation reports, schedules, partnerships, marketing and parent relationships - Designed research-based lessons on topics related to: positive relationships, diversity, health and wellness, feminism, mental health

Master Of Science - Ms, Learning, Design And Technology

Certificate, Innovation And Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies

Spec. Hons. B.A., Human Rights & Equity Studies

Cross-Disciplinary Certificate In Anti-Racist Research And Practice

General Certificate In Refugee And Migration Studies

Education record