b'From Breakfast Club to Leadership:A Story of Empowering Youth toGrow into CommunityChangemakersEvery summer, LUSO Community Servies Breakfast Club provides free daily meals tochildren and youth residing in Northeast London. For many years, staff have had the privilegeof watching children from the Boullee and Huron neighbourhood grow up through thisprogramarriving first as participants, and more recently, returning as volunteers.As several youth prepared to enter high school, the pressure of completing mandatoryvolunteer hours weighed on them. Many began asking staff when they could help out atBreakfast Club and how they could give back. Recognizing both the need and theopportunity, LUSO staff created a youth volunteer program designed specifically for theseyoung people who had grown up in the program.The results were inspiring. Each Wednesday over the summer, youth took on a BreakfastClub Takeoverthey were responsible for setting up, preparing and cooking meals, servingchildren, and leading activities such as crafts and games. Through orientation and hands-onexperience, shy and reserved teens blossomed into confident leaders, building newfriendships and gaining valuable life skills.As trust deepened, youth began opening up to staff abouttheir worries: starting high school, navigating friendships, andmanaging mental health. In response, a young womensgroup emerged, meeting weekly after Breakfast Club to workthrough scenarios, share tools, and build confidence for thetransition ahead.Since the school year began, LUSO has stayed connectedwith many of these students, celebrating their successes andsupporting them through challenges. What began as a way toearn volunteer hours has grown into something far moremeaningfula safe space, a mentorship bond, and areminder that with encouragement and opportunity, youthcan rise as leaders and changemakers in their community. LUSO Community Services 122024-25 Impact Report'