Connecting Youth
Sam J, a 2025 graduate from Rockridge Secondary School recognized that too many North Shore teenagers were sitting around in their rooms, scrolling through their phones, and getting depressed. With the help of a Neighbourhood Small Grant, Sam created North Shore Live!. “I’m hoping these events will help to provide other options for students to get out and connect with people their age, start enjoying life and feeling better about themselves.” said Sam.
After the initial success, Sam reached out to other funders, local businesses and the municipalities and was able to get support to hold many more events, including Improv Workshops, Open Mic Nights and Seniors’ Performances. These events were held at various venues across the North Shore including the Youth Hub at Park Royal, Rockridge School, West Van Yacht Club and Seniors Centre Café.
All in, North Shore Live hosted 250+ teens and 350+ seniors at their events from September 2024 to June 2025. The Open Mic Nights at the Youth Hub have been a big success with a mix of creative and performing arts students complimented by a diverse group of international students creating an energetic and fun atmosphere that, by June 2025, was attracting 40+ teens out to each event. The District of West Van Youth Team have indicated they will be continuing to host the Open Mic Nights moving forward. The Improv Workshops helped to introduce teens to this amazing art form and helped propel the Rockridge Improv team to their first ever appearance at the National Finals in Ottawa where they placed 7th in the Country. The Seniors performances created opportunities for teens to get experience performing full sets in front of a live audience. The seniors thoroughly enjoyed the performances, with one commenting “I turned up my hearing aid so I could hear you better!”.
Thank you Sam and all of the participants – you are helping get teens out and “connected!”
