Let’s empower at-risk youth in Thailand, Isaan!

Let’s work together to give at-risk young people a chance at a better life!

Hello beautiful community and friends!

My name is Shahla Lafeer. I’m a Youth Empowerment Champion based in Toronto, Ontario. It is my life’s purpose to uplift young change makers to dream big and actualize their brilliant potential.

A little about me and my charity

Over the last 12 years, I’ve had the honour of working with extraordinary children and youth in various roles such as a Teachers’ Assistant at Frankland Community School; a Child and Youth Worker at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and Playloft Learning Centre; a Leadership Facilitator with several non-profit organizations including Swallowing Clouds, Thrive Youth Development Canada and COPA NATIONAL; as a Muay Thai instructor at TKMT Danforth; and most recently as the Executive Director and Lead Recreational Coach at Riverdale Flip and Tumble.

In 2023, I received the Youth Leadership Award with Thrive Youth for my resilience and unwavering belief in myself which I consistently used as a tool to inspire the next generation of young people who may not see the excellence in themselves just yet. (Awards Video)

I also spoke on a podcast panel in affiliation with RBC Investor Services and Thrive Youth (2025) about the importance of Arts Leadership and the immense impact it carries on the lives of many young people in Canada. (Podcast)

After years of dreaming about starting a community-based charity, I am thrilled to share that I am launching my passion project: Youth Can Dream Canada (Instagram). YCDC is dedicated to supporting young change makers to realize their inner strength to turn dreams into actions and inspire positive change for themself and their community.

Life was difficult as a young person - I grew up with financial, cultural and generational barriers that prevented me from building my capacity and actualizing my potential for greatness.

I didn’t have the ideal childhood. I didn’t have a guidebook on how to “make it” and be successful. I grew up in a single-parent household and experienced youth homelessness at the age of 5. I was perceived as having no value, of not being worthy enough to get an education, or have a career. I was told I was NOT going to go places. I wasn’t invested in as a child because I wasn’t “worth the time and energy”.

But my dreams allowed me to challenge the perspectives of the naysayers around me in order to rewrite my unsolicited and adverse fate.

By the age of 24, I self-funded my education and graduated from the Toronto Metropolitan University with a degree in Business Law and French. I established a great career in the financial industry with two of the Big Five Banks in Canada while maintaining my involvement in youth empowerment work. I also became a homeowner all on my own!

My story is just one of many that shows how having dreams and believing in oneself at a young age can create a positive turning point during a critical time in a young person's life. My goal is to inspire other young people to build resilience and to never give up. There is no such thing as dreams too big - anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

YDCD is teaming up with Wor. Watthana Muay Thai Gym

Youth Can Dream Canada is partnering with Wor. Watthana Muay Thai Gym for kids. Wor. Watthana is a safe house based in Thailand, Isaan that offers at-risk youth a framework of activity, discipline, and opportunities. They accomplish this by leverging Muay Thai to instill strong values, a sense of belonging and self-confidence in all the kids who come through their door. WWMTG also covers all costs such as housing, nutritious food and clean drinking water, education fees and school supplies, doctor visits and medical expenses, and more.

Dreaming is a fundamental part of a young person’s development; it can help them believe in themself, evolve into their brilliant potential, and imagine a brighter and sustainable future for themself and their community.

Unfortunately, young people in Isaan, Thailand lose sight of their dreams and their hope for a better life because they are in a constant battle against drugs, alcohol, gang violence, and even rape. Very few children have the strength to defy the odds, but even once they make it to adulthood, they are dealt with a variety of challenges: menial employment or a life of crime.

Wor. Watthana Muay Thai Gym for kids sets out to help these at-risk youth change the course of their lives and defy the odds by building the strength to dream of a happy, fulfilling life.

Our goal

We aim to raise CAD $5,000 that will go towards covering some of the following costs for the kids: nutritious food and supplements, school fees and supplies, doctor visits and medical expenses, and clothing. It will also help sponsor a fun and empowering activity for the kids (it’s important that kids can simply be kids!).

I will be travelling to Isaan, Thailand to visit Wor. Watthana Muay Thai Gym at the end of May 2025. I am excited to meet the children and help them in any capacity needed. Your support will make a world of a difference!

Let’s work together and help empower at-risk youth in Isaan, Thailand to DREAM BIG and change the trajectory of their lives!

To learn more about Wor. Watthana Muay Thai Gym, please visit their website: Wor Watthana Muay Thai Gym

Thank you so much for believing in these capable young people and for your generous support!