
Olu Paynter
| Youth Consultant
Olu is a youth engagement advocate and has been working with youth for over a decade.
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Olu was an instrumental player in the formation of the Youth Leadership Corps with the YMCA. The youth leadership group branched out to being "Teen Nights", where youth groups are allowed to use the facilities of the YMCA for free every Saturday, providing them a safe space to play and be with their peers. This program has been installed at all YMCA GTA locations and has been going strong for almost 9 years. This was an initiative by YMCA GTA to better integrate youth between 13-18 into the programing and facility at large.
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Along with his work at EYC, Olu is a public speaker, youth panelist, and mentor at MLSE Launchpad, working one-on-one and in group settings with youth from diverse walks of life. Olu is an instructor at the YMCA and a 1-on-1 respite worker for Extend a Family. Olu has held multiple positions including, a tutor, camp counselor, and youth leader for multiple organizations.
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At the MLSE Launchpad, Olu has been responsible for building and maintaining relationships with youth and their families, as well as planning and presenting virtual programming. With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, Olu has been key in spearheading the conversion of shifting traditional programming to virtual programs over virtual platforms (leading youth engagement via Zoom, Kahoot, Menti for viewing-parties, youth talks, and more).
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Outside his academic and professional aspirations, Olu is an avid reader, martial artist, and sport/fitness enthusiast.