Whitehorse, Yukon
February 8, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This year, BYTE – Empowering Youth Society is celebrating its 25th Anniversary.
“Celebrating BYTE’s 25th Anniversary is a truly special occasion and we look forward to sharing the festivities with many of BYTE’s former and current staff, volunteers, community members and program participants to honour their contributions. I’m extremely humbled by the outpour of recognition and support we’ve received over the past 25 years, and we look forward to continuing to give back to the young people throughout the Territory and the communities we serve for many more years to come.”
—Josi Leideritz, Executive Director
BYTE was founded in 1998 by the late Nicole Edwards as Bringing Youth Towards Equality (B.Y.T.E.) out of the Yukon’s need for an organization that centered the Territory’s youth ideas, needs, and initiatives. In those early years, BYTE’s focus was organizing the Yukon Youth Conference and publishing a youth zine, Toxic Blend.
Today, BYTE (known as BYTE – Empowering Youth Society since 2015) aims to meet youth where they are at by fostering safe, empowering spaces in all of the Yukon’s communities as well as communities in the Beaufort Delta region of NWT and Atlin, BC. BYTE’s most notable work includes facilitating experiential workshops, launching advocacy projects like Northern Youth Want, and hosting annual events such as Skate Comp, Battle of the Bands, and the Leaders in Training gathering. To this day, BYTE continues to be a “by youth, for youth” organization, creating youth employment opportunities in-house.
“As we celebrate our 25th birthday, I want to recognize the invaluable contributions of all of the passionate youth staff, volunteers, program participants, and Board members who have shaped BYTE into what it is today. We have been lucky to have had so many enthusiastic, energetic youth leaders contribute their unique skill sets to build BYTE and empower Northern youth over the last 25 years. I can’t wait to see what BYTE’s next 25 years bring!”
—Véronique Maggiore, Co-Chair, Board of Directors
To celebrate BYTE’s anniversary, we will be collecting stories from past staff, volunteers, board members, and program participants to showcase on our website and social media throughout the year. If you have any fun BYTE memories to share, we invite you to fill out our Google Form here. Details regarding public 25th anniversary celebrations will be posted on BYTE’s social media profiles (Instagram and Facebook @BYTEYukon) later this year.
To set up media interviews, or for more information, please contact:
Samantha McKay
Communications and Events Manage
samantha@nullyukonyouth.com
(867) 667-7975