Creating Space for Youth to Belong Through Storytelling
Today’s youth are navigating busy schedules and constant distractions, alongside a concerning increase in social isolation. With around one in five Canadian youth reporting feelings of loneliness, and many adults around the world saying the same. With screen time for youth continuing to rise to an alarming average of 5.2 hours spent on their phone daily, roughly 2.5x the recommended limit. Combined with the disappearance of third spaces for younger generations to gather and build community, programs like Reel Documentaries play a critical role in creating an environment where youth can build confidence, develop leadership skills, and feel a sense of belonging. Creating spaces where young people can unplug and connect is just as important as supporting physical wellness, and Reel Documentaries fits seamlessly into that vision.
Through Reel Documentaries, filmmaker and educator Saadiqah Omar is inviting teens and young adults to participate in a 12-week immersive documentary filmmaking workshop at YMCA Calgary, where they discover more than just learning how to hold a camera or edit a film. This program gives young people the opportunity to slow down, reflect, and tell stories that matter to them. Reel Documentaries places the creative process firmly in the hands of youth, guiding participants through every stage of documentary filmmaking, from idea development and storyboarding to filming, editing, and post-production.
Reel Documentaries was introduced through YMCA Calgary’s Strategic Initiatives process, that to build upon the needs of our communities, where it garnered strong interest and support. “The YMCA’s commitment to inclusive, community-based youth development, combined with Calgary Film Academy’s focus on connecting creativity to real-world opportunities, made the collaboration feel like a genuine fit from the start,” says Omar. Together, the partnership reflects a shared belief in creating accessible and meaningful opportunities for young people to explore who they are and how they see the world. Through the creative process, students discover technical storytelling skills while also learning how to research topics that matter to them, shape those ideas, and share them with an audience in a way that is engaging, creative, and memorable. “This gives teens a sense of agency and helps them feel seen, heard, and valued during a stage of life where confidence is still forming.” Said Omar.
Reel Documentaries came to life when Saadiqah Omar first arrived in Canada. “The YMCA became a place of real solace for me,” she shares. “It was one of the first spaces where I felt a sense of community and belonging, and I was immediately drawn to the YMCA’s arts and youth programming.” Having previously led successful youth arts and filmmaking initiatives in South Africa, Omar saw an opportunity to bring the same empowering storytelling and creative outreach to Calgary. As she began building the Calgary Film Academy, it felt only natural to bring that vision into a space that already shared those values.
That’s why YMCA Calgary continues to prioritize creating these essential third spaces for teens and young adults to let their creative juices flow and encourage them to share openly in a supportive and social environment. Reel Documentaries encourages them to hold on to their creativity and create healthy habits as they move on into adulthood.
“I hope participants leave with the confidence to pursue creative opportunities, speak up, and see themselves as capable storytellers and future leaders,” says Omar. “Whether or not they pursue filmmaking professionally, the skills, self-belief, and memories they gain will stay with them for a lifetime.”
Learn more about our strategic initiatives here >