YMCA Presents Peace Medals
In his four years in Hamilton, Leo Nupolu Johnson has gone from a youth advocate to being at the helm of a youth-empowering agency that has raised thousands of dollars for various communities.
The co-founder and executive director of Empowerment Squared — which is behind such events as ShAIDS of Grey that raised $60,000 this year — was awarded one of four YMCA peace medals at a breakfast Tuesday.
Overwhelmed and honoured, he said he couldn’t quite describe what the win means for him.
It’s a testament to “the dedication of all the people who support us,” Johnson said.
In its 23rd year, the event honours people who are making a difference in the local community by promoting or inspiring peace, said Hamilton Burlington YMCA vice president of community operations Nicki Glowacki. This year they received a total of 14 nominations in four categories.
It is not that youth need help, rather they need someone to show them how to help themselves and others, Johnson said. Empowerment Squared emerged after he shared this message at an event 3 ½ years ago and was approached afterwards by McMaster University students.
Now the agency has six key organizers, boosted by a cast of 30 to 50 volunteers depending on the time of year.
Johnson is a refugee from Liberia who spent eight years as a refugee in the Ivory Coast and Ghana before coming to Canada. Ironically, he said, he did work for the YMCA before coming here.
The idea for a current project raising money to build a library and community centre in Liberia began while he was in a refugee camp, he said.
Through the support of Empowerment Squared he founded and coaches United FC soccer team, composed of young refugees now in Hamilton.
A panel judged Johnson the winner in the adult category.
Mr. Leo Johnson and Dr. James Orbinski: Politics of Medicine and Medical Care (in low resource settings), NGO's
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