About Studio.89

Studio.89 is a non-profit fair trade, vegan cafe and community hub. We partner with local organizations and schools to empower marginalized youth through leadership training and educational workshops and programs. We also provide a free community space to local organizers. Studio.89 encourages community dialogue, interculturalism, artistic expression, and conscious consumerism with a specific focus on youth leadership development. Our social enterprise aims to benefit humans, animals, and the planet.

Empowering our community to act locally and think globally for a sustainable future.

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Vision

Working towards a socially just and sustainable world through youth leadership development.

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History

Studio.89’s parent organization started as a grassroots youth-led non-profit. Youth Troopers for Global Awareness (YTGA) empowers and mobilizes youth to advocate for social justice. We encourage activism by hosting programs, events, and campaigns accessible to the public.

OUR JOURNEY

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March 09
YTGA is Born
March 09

YTGA is Born

Beginning in a classroom at John Fraser Senior Secondary School over a discussion regarding water and waste issues, a group of young activists band together – Youth Troopers for Global Awareness is born! Focusing on topics including child slavery, human trafficking, women’s rights, fair trade, and media influence on current

July 07
Theatre Productions
July 07

Theatre Productions

Youth Troopers for Global Awareness expands into theatre productions, performing across the Greater Toronto Area to bring awareness to topics closest to them. YTGA continues writing “Our Voice”, campaigning against genetically modified foods, human trafficking and women’s rights, as well as creating visual art pieces.

June 15
Social Enterprise Brainstorm
June 15

Social Enterprise Brainstorm

During their journey, YTGA identified 3 gaps in resources available within Mississauga. 1. Access to Fair Trade Goods 2. Lack of Free Venues for Nonprofits 3. Lack of Resources for Students YTGA dreams of opening a social enterprise cafe that can fill all 3 of these needs. Welcome to Studio.89!

June 17
Studio.89 is Born
June 17

Studio.89 is Born

After three long years of dealing with zoning, fundraising, and garnering community support, Studio.89 finally opens its doors in March 2014! It is completely furnished by donations and community partners – from toilets to the paint of walls! Downstairs, the Studio.89 cafe promotes conscious consumption through fair trade and organic

March 11
5 Year Anniversary
March 11

5 Year Anniversary

At 5 years old, Studio.89 evolves from a grassroots organization to an established community hub, showcasing events such as social justice campaigns, community panel discussions, paint nights, open mic nights, and poetry slams. Our free space is used by numerous organizations assisting with fundraisers, board meetings, and outreach events helping

March 08
Studio.89 Partners with The Daniels Corporation
March 08

Studio.89 Partners with The Daniels Corporation

Studio.89 partners with The Daniels Corporation and moves to one of Daniels’s communities called The Arc in Mississauga.

We acknowledge:

  • The potential and capacity of young people
  • Globally just societies start locally with individuals
  • Real change is gradual and requires the participation of young leaders
  • Arts play a key role in confronting and reimagining social narratives
  • Better economic, societal, and environmental choices are necessary to create a sustainable world

Studio.89 is located on land which is the traditional, stolen lands of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The rightful stewards of this land have faced horrific atrocities, including forced removal, colonization, forced poverty, broken treaties, eco-terrorism, and genocide. Native People continue to contribute to making the world a better place here, and Indigenous people also continue to fight for eco-justice in our global village.  We are committed to furthering our research to learn about and support Indigenous tribes in their efforts to restore sovereignty and help start the process to begin to heal the horrific wrongs of the past and of current day.

ADVOCATING for humans, animals, and the planet.

CREATING space for learning.

EMPOWERING youth to engage in social justice dialogues.

PROVIDING youth with leadership, employment, and volunteer opportunities.

ENCOURAGING collaboration with the wider community and like-minded initiatives.

Our Values

Inclusion statement:

Studio.89 is proud of its heritage as a diverse organization that values, embraces, and strives towards equal opportunity in its operations, community engagement, employment, and decision-making. Studio.89’s vibrant community is strengthened by its inclusion of all members, actively inviting differences of thought inspired by intersections of backgrounds and lived experiences.