At Sarnia’s CANstruction event, one display stood out: a giant Game Boy built entirely from canned food.
Behind the colourful structure was a team of newcomer youth from the YMCA’s YMAP program, whose creativity and teamwork helped spark an idea that grew over months of planning and collaboration.
Now in their third year participating in this community fundraiser, the group earned the Junior Outstanding Structure award for their build.
“We love participating in CANstruction,” said Tatyana Cedeno with YMCA newcomer youth programming. “The kids really look forward to it each year. It gives them a chance to shine while contributing to something meaningful.”
CANstruction is a community event that challenges local teams to design and build large sculptures entirely from canned food. Once the event is complete, all of the cans are donated to the Inn of the Good Shepherd food bank, helping support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in the SarniaLambton community.
For the YMAP youth, the project begins months before the event. Planning starts in December, when participants meet weekly to brainstorm themes, develop their design, and figure out how to turn their concept into a stable structure made entirely from cans. As the event approaches, the pace begins to ignite, with sessions increasing and eventually becoming daily in the final month as the team prepares for the build.
The project is entirely youthled. Participants design the structure, plan the logistics, and work together to bring their idea to life, demonstrating what can happen when we are greater together.
Along the way, they build more than an impressive display. They develop leadership skills, confidence, and friendships while contributing to an initiative that helps support families in their community.
Programs like YMAP help newcomer youth connect with peers, gain confidence, and find opportunities to get involved in the communities they now call home — creating spaces where young people feel a true sense of belonging and can continue thriving.
By the time the final cans are stacked, the impact reaches far beyond the structure itself. This demonstrates what’s possible when young people are trusted to lead and believe in their potential — strengthening their community, supporting families in need, and proving that meaningful change is built through connection, creativity, and collective effort.