about us
Our Story
The Cherry Pit was founded in June of 2024 by Revel Baldeo. Through their experiences of working with youth in various non-profits, Revel saw a need for creative spaces where vulnerable and marginalized youth can build healthy relationships and community. There was also a clear need for an organization that lived and breathed its values everyday, one that would not sacrifice their values for growth.
The Cherry Pit started as a grassroots organization, running art engagement BBQs in parks and solely relying on donations from the community. Revel quickly realized that The Cherry Pit had more potential to support young people and their art as a registered non-profit society. Throughout the non-profit application process, The Cherry Pit continued to facilitate art workshops and art markets with the goal of reducing barriers for young people to create and share their art with the community. In November of 2024, The Cherry Pit formed a Board of Directors and officially became The Cherry Pit Community Support Society.
Since its incorporation, The Cherry Pit has built an incredibly diverse community of young people. The art programming The Cherry Pit facilitates has empowered the youth we work with to explore themselves and their place in this world, while growing their confidence and discovering their passions. Additionally, The Cherry Pit has also been able to provide free mental health counselling through our volunteer Canadian Certified Counsellor, further reducing barriers to young people to access the support they need. The Cherry Pit also focuses heavily on collaborations with other local community organizations to share knowledge and resources, recognizing that we cannot build this community alone.
With the support of reliable, trauma informed, and super cool organizers and volunteers, The Cherry Pit shows young people that stable and dependable relationships are possible and that they deserve fierce love and care from their community. Not all young people have the natural/familial supports needed in their childhood to develop healthy attachment, to learn problem solving, or to feel safe and cared for. At The Cherry Pit, we aim to help fill that gap and be the trusting and caring people and community that those youth deserve. Welcome to The Cherry Pit!
Our team
Revel/Annysa Baldeo • They/them
Program Coordinator and Founder
I am an artist and community organizer passionate about utilizing art as an intervention to trauma, a form of self exploration and expression, and a way to strengthen community connections.
I love working with young people and creating spaces where they are empowered to be vulnerable and use their voice in creative ways. Being welcomed into a young person’s life is an honour I cherish deeply.
Nathan Davies • he/him
Board President
As a Mental Health Counsellor, it is a privilege to be in, and build, relationships with young people. My experience has focused on supporting those in marginalized communities, including LGBTQIA2S+, people with barriers (disabilities), those experiencing houselessness, and substance use struggles.
I love being creative, and see art and creativity as essential in someone's expression of self. Art and creativity can look like painting, sculpting, or writing, but it can also be cooking or gardening.
Find what you love and be creative!!
Brock Vansen • she/her
Board Director of Youth Advocacy and Engagement
I am a youth mental health advocate and university student with a strong passion for community and art. At the end of the day- I love people, and nothing makes me feel more human than when I get to engage with others through art. I believe that for many folks the community connections they make can not only be incredibly meaningful, but can also be strong enough to keep them from falling through the cracks.
Art is a powerful tool that is unfortunately often inaccessible due to barriers like cost or a lack of support. My hope is that I can help others express themselves and find fulfillment by breaking down some of those barriers and inviting my community to be vulnerable (and messy) alongside me. There are so many beautiful stories hidden within the people we meet every day and there is nothing I love more than getting to connect, share, and learn about the people around me.
Danielle Jabbor • She/her
Board Secretary and Treasurer
Danielle is a multidisciplinary artist and facilitator passionate about creative expression, youth engagement, and building inclusive spaces. Her practice includes cross-stitch, mixed media, printmaking, painting, and digital design, with a focus on both traditional and hands-on creative processes. As a queer Palestinian, Syrian, and Jordanian third culture adult living in Canada, Danielle's identity and experiences strongly shape the way she approaches storytelling, connection, and community care. Danielle brings a global perspective to her work and value curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning. Through art and programming, she strives to create spaces where people feel supported, inspired, and encouraged to grow.
Scott Muyser • he/him
board vice president
I am a queer, autistic multidisciplinary artist who is passionate about creating accessible alternatives to traditionally inaccessible arts spaces. Although my knowledge is largely in theatre and textile arts, I love playing with all sorts of mediums to find new sparks of creativity. I enjoy leading workshops as often as I can because there's nothing more joyful than witnessing someone discover a new way to express themselves. I believe that we are most effective when community, empathy and art overlap because we learn and grow through each other.