Hamilton, ON
Celina Shamon
I’m a community leader and creative committed to building spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. Through my work across nonprofits and social initiatives, I focus on designing programs that center connection, confidence, and access—especially for youth and women. I’m passionate about storytelling, community impact, and turning ideas into meaningful experiences that bring people together. Whether I’m leading a workshop, coordinating a program, or amplifying voices through media, my goal is always to create environments where individuals can show up fully and step into who they’re becoming.
BecomingHER Ottawa
BecomingHER is a 12-week program intended to support adolescent girls ages 13-18 in the transition from girlhood to womanhood from the perspective of self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and resilience building by prioritizing support related to self-discovery, mental well-being, and self-efficacy. This program has been successfully running in Hamilton for the last four years, with waitlists for each Summer and Fall cohort. We are now bringing this experience in Ottawa, and helping more Black girls live out their girlhood and creating safe spaces for them to be, become, and belong!
https://sistersinsync.orgAbout this Project
Communities Served
My project will involve and/or impact the following communities:
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
When it comes to community impact projects, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These are the Sustainable Development Goals associated with my project.
How the project works
In the 4 weeks together, we will be meeting every Monday and Wednesday to explore various topics that will prompt the girls to further explore the different stages of becoming as they go through self-exploration in hopes of defining who they want to be and what they are doing to get there. We will begin on May 4th, and the last session will be on July 2nd. The retreat will take place from July 4-7, giving girls a chance experience something they normally wouldn't.
Project Impact
Testimony from Past BecomingHER Participant: BecomingHER is a valuable and necessary aspect of the Black community because it unites and repairs Black relationships through healthy conversations and empowerment. I have not yet attended a Black youth group that has changed me as much as BecomingHER did. I would like to continue to attend this program in the future because it helped me become more confident and inspired me in other areas of my life to push myself. I am grateful and happy with all the support, laughs, and times that I shared with everyone in this program. Truly a one of a kind experience and I am honoured to have been apart of it. - Fatime
Project Mission
Sisters in Sync is on a mission to empower Black girls and women, helping them to be, become, and belong. Our work promotes self-esteem, challenges social inequalities, and advocates for survivor-informed practices. Our efforts have impacted the lives of many Black girls and women across Ontario. Guided by a robust framework of values centred around empowerment, sisterhood, education, and transparency, we strive to drive positive, long-lasting change.
Project Team
We have a team of 8 women, from all different fields and backgrounds. We are also supported by our Ambassador Team of 5 per region, both in Ottawa and Hamilton.
- Joelle Kabisoso - Executive Director
- Sylvia Szara - Director of Operations and HR
- Celina Shamon (me) - Community Impact and Communications Manager
- Vashti Darko - Partnerships and Fundraising Manager
- Nicola Cross - Lead Graphic Designer
- Ro-Danne McClymont - Programs Coordinator / Lead Ambassador
- Makeda Ralph - Lead Ambassador / Facilitator
- Marie-Claire Kapesa - Lead Ambassador / Facilitator
Video
Summer 2024 BecomingHer Retreat
Optional Photo Gallery
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