HEAL YOUTH SUMMIT
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025
2 PM – 4 PM
aaniin Community centre, 5665 14th Ave
Next Generation Arts invites youth and community members across Markham and York Region to the annual HEAL Youth Summit on Saturday, November 29, from 2 PM – 4 PM
HEAL (Health Empowerment and Arts Leverage) is a year-long arts and mental wellness program that empowers youth to explore their voices, build resilience, and express themselves through creative practice. The annual HEAL Youth Summit celebrates the artwork, stories, and leadership that youth participants have cultivated throughout the year.
Hosted by award-winning spoken word poet Patrick de Belen and hip-hop veteran Dan-e-o, the event invites guests to enjoy live youth performances, meals and refreshments, and giveaways and prizes.
Participate in engaging interactive activities that reflect themes of mental well-being and creativity – the Summit is sure to be an inspiring, uplifting, and community-centred afternoon.
All are welcome! We kindly ask that you provide a completed registration for each member of your family or group.
Spots are limited—registration is required.
ARTIST + PERFORMER BIOS
Aswani Siwakoti
Aswani Siwakoti is a South Asian mixed media creative, arts facilitator, and student of Art Therapy. Her work is rooted in the excavation of personal and collective stories, often weaving symbolism throughout her work. She is drawn to art-making as a process of meaning-making, which invites reflection, honours nuance, and holds space for healing. Through both individual practice and collaborative projects, Aswani explores how creativity can deepen connection to self and community. Her work is ever evolving, often beginning with curiosity allowing multiple stories to unfold in layers.
DAN-E-O (EMCEE)
At the age of 13, Daniel Faraldo, known professionally as Dan-e-o, won a rap-off contest on Toronto’s “Electric Circus” dance show. Five years later, his first single “Dear Hip Hop” was featured on Beat Factory’s Rap Essentials Volume One compilation. The Canadian hip-hop classic would launch Dan-e-o’s future labelling as “legend”.
Dan-e-o’s greatest accomplishment, however, took place on April 23, 2014, when he became a father to his wonderful daughter, Melina. His fifth solo album, The Day It All Changed takes listeners along with him on his new fatherhood journey. (@daneo1010)
Patrick de Belen (EMCEE)
Patrick de Belen is a Filipino-Canadian storyteller, arts educator, spoken word poet, writer, and filmmaker. He is most known for his collaborations with the Toronto Raptors, the NFL, and CBC, and his three spoken word EPs and multiple cine-poems he wrote and directed himself.
He was the youngest poet to win a national poetry slam championship, awarded both the national Canadian poet of honour and youth poet of honour title, and a few more storytelling accolades throughout his career.
When he is not writing or sharing, he is an educator and youth mentor, partnering with many institutions like addiction centres, mental health focused organizations, libraries, schools, jails and more—advocating for storytelling opportunities in as many spaces as possible. (@patrick_debelen | patrickdebelen.com)
ABOUT HEAL
Presented by Next Generation Arts, HEAL (Health Empowerment & Arts Leverage) is a series of free arts and mental health workshops in South Markham. Led by arts facilitators with trauma-informed training, HEAL provides a safe, supportive space for youth ages 13 to 29 to try new art-making techniques, discover tools to unpack emotional trauma, and promote healing and mental wellness through creativity.
For more information about HEAL, contact Abiha Sajid, HEAL Project Administrator, at heal@nextgenerationarts.ca.
