Youth Resilience Project — Closing the First Phase with Impact

Building Resilient Minds for Sustainable Futures in Kaduna State

The Youth Resilience Project (YRP), an initiative spearheaded by Ray’s Haven for Special Needs Children and Adults, marked the conclusion of its successful first phase with a final event at the prestigious Arewa House, Kaduna. This phase was a focused journey addressing mental health awareness, disability inclusion, and economic empowerment among young people, especially those with disabilities and in IDP camps across Kaduna State, Nigeria.

This transformative effort was made possible through the generous support and partnership of the European Union and the Global Youth Mobilization Fund, underscoring an international commitment to youth-led change and community resilience.

Official closing ceremony of the Youth Resilience Project at Arewa House, Kaduna.

A pivotal moment from the closing ceremony, celebrating the achievements of the YRP first phase.

Phase I: Community Mobilization and Empowerment

The first phase successfully established a robust network focused on resilient minds and inclusive hearts. Key activities included community engagements, school advocacy visits, institutional collaborations, and hands-on training sessions focused on three core pillars:

Mental Well-Being: Promoting trauma consciousness, resilience-building, and encouraging young people to speak up about emotional struggles, with a special focus on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Disability Inclusion: Working with teachers and community leaders to ensure proper guidance and support systems are in place, as highlighted by participants like Salma Hussaini, a visually impaired advocate.
Economic Empowerment: Providing training to address the mental and economic difficulties that limit the productivity of youths, PWDs, and IDPs, helping to build confidence and sustainable livelihoods.

These grassroots efforts spanned schools, communities, and internally displaced persons (IDP) locations, creating a strong foundation for localized support and long-term sustainability.

The Closing Event: Charting the Path Forward

High-Profile Attendance

The final event brought together key stakeholders crucial for institutionalizing the project’s gains, including: Commissioners of Health and Youth & Sports, the Executive Director of the Kaduna State Disability Affairs Board,, community leaders, educators, PWD representatives, and mental health professionals like psychologists.

Unveiling the Sustainability Guidelines

The pinnacle of the closing ceremony was the formal unveiling of the Sustainability Guidelines. This blueprint is designed to help various clusters—schools, communities, IDP camps, and disability organizations—continue promoting mental health awareness and resilience initiatives effectively, even after the current phase concludes. By involving traditional and religious leaders, Ray’s Haven ensures the message is sustained at the grassroots, recognizing mental health as a collective responsibility.

“As we close this chapter, we celebrate every milestone and partnership that made it possible—and look forward with renewed energy to the next phase of empowering youth to lead change and inclusion in their communities.”