New Voices
Co-Design Lab
About the Program
The New Voices Co-Design Lab is a year-long creative media program for newcomer and refugee youth ages 12 to 19 living in North Bay and surrounding communities, including Callander, Bonfield, Corbeil, Nipissing Township, and East Ferris. Funded through the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Catapult Canada initiative, the program provides free, hands-on workshops at the Near North Makerspace where youth explore storytelling, photography, video, podcasting, zine-making, and digital design.
New Voices is built around co-design: youth help shape each eight-week workshop cycle, choosing the topics, tools, and creative methods that reflect their interests, identities, and lived experiences. This approach creates a culturally safe, youth-led environment where participants build confidence, digital literacy, leadership skills, and meaningful peer connections.
The program supports newcomer youth who may experience isolation, language barriers, or hyper-visibility in school settings by offering a welcoming community space to learn, create, and belong. Through collaborative projects, hands-on media training, and opportunities to share their stories, youth strengthen their sense of identity and develop the creative and communication skills they need to thrive in their new home.
Use the form below to register for this free workshop series, scheduled to take place between January 17 and March 7, 2026.
Program Facilitator: Kelvin Doe
The New Voices Co-Design Lab is facilitated by Kelvin Doe, an internationally recognized young inventor and mentor originally from Sierra Leone. As a teenager, Kelvin taught himself electronics by dismantling and rebuilding discarded devices, eventually creating his own functioning batteries, generators, and an FM radio transmitter that allowed him to broadcast music and news to his community. His story has been shared globally, including through international innovation competitions and opportunities at institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
As N2M2L’s Creative Media Facilitator, Kelvin brings his experience as a youth innovator and community mentor to New Voices. He leads co-design sessions and workshop cycles, supporting newcomer and refugee youth in developing skills in storytelling, photography, video, podcasting, and digital design. Kelvin is committed to creating a supportive environment where young people can explore their creativity, build confidence, and share their stories in meaningful ways.