Concordia students mentor youth in art and social transformation
Victoria Limas beside her artwork with her mentor, Clara Olivia Lévesque. | Photos by Jon Marvin Reyes, OCE
What happens when art, video games and social justice collide? At Press Start, a youth-run community space and arcade in Montreal’s Pointe-Saint-Charles neighbourhood, young people are building a vibrant space where creativity sparks community transformation.
Supported by Concordia’s Office of Community Engagement (OCE), the organization’s Art and Social Transformation Mentorship Program (formerly the Press Start Employment Initiative) focuses on supporting racialized and queer youth. Participants are guided by Concordia student mentors, mostly from the Faculty of Fine Arts, to experiment with new artistic media, take on creative projects and explore how art connects to the world around them.
“Our work at the OCE is about building reciprocal partnerships, and Press Start is a brilliant example, with their wealth of experience in working alongside youth,” explains Shin Ling Low, associate coordinator at the Office.
“Concordia students share their knowledge and mentorship through the program. Equally important, they get to learn first-hand from the creativity and leadership of the youth at Press Start.”
Press Start co-founder and Concordia PhD candidate Mireille Duchesneau hosts a panel of youth and mentors.
Beyond employment training
Press Start grew out of a two-year reflection on youth programming at Saint Columba House, where over 200 young people identified what they needed most: employment opportunities, youth-led spaces and real decision-making power. The answer was a cooperative business model.
Seven years later, Press Start thrives as a hub for creativity and collective action.
The employment-oriented Art and Social Transformation mentorship program focuses on skill building, developing confidence and collective decision-making, rather than traditional job placement.
“We designed this program to go beyond just employment — it’s about building skills that transfer to all parts of life,” says co-founder Michelle Duchesneau, whose graduate research at Concordia supports the project. “One participant told us it wasn’t just about inspiring their art, but about being around like-minded people and having a space to share openly and confidently.”
Learning from one another
Press Start emphasizes horizontal learning and shared leadership. Mentor Clara Olivia Lévesque, a Concordia psychology student, says she loved seeing the progress of participants each week. She also highlights how she evolved as a mentor and teacher during the program: “We have a lot to learn from each other. There’s beauty to be had when you sit and listen to each other’s stories.”
“At my school, there aren’t many activities or opportunities to take initiative, so it can feel discouraging,” says Victoria Lima, a Press Start participant. “This program feels amazing because I’ve been able to make my own decisions and learn so much. I’ve even developed confidence through my art and in general.”
Toward sustainable programming for youth
While Press Start has had a significant impact, the project’s future remains uncertain, as securing consistent funding has been a persistent challenge. An upcoming event at Concordia’s SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation, “Youth Engagement in Practice,” will gather coordinators, youth and program mentors to invite dialogue on how to build youth-led initiatives and what it takes to sustain them.
As Miraf Dubé, program coordinator for the past three years, notes, “At Press Start, we are here to experiment. The goal is to create a space where young people can take risks and explore without pressure or hierarchy.”
“Youth Engagement in Practice” will take place on Wednesday, November 12 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at SHIFT, LB Building, 1400 De Maisonneuve West.
Register for the event to be held at Concordia's SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation.
Explore the programs in Concordia’s Faculty of Fine Arts.
