Youth Unlimited North York » Happenings

Scott M: A Visitor’s View

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:25:28 +0000

We were honoured to have Debra, one of our co-workers in Youth Unlimited Toronto, visit our annual “Rite of Passage” ceremony for the young men we work with. Here’s her story from the night:

I’m attending a “Rite of Passage” ceremony for six 18 year-old men in a notorious Toronto neighbourhood. Last October a young man was gunned down just one block away from where this ceremony is being held. Tonight, in the presence of mentors and role models, these young men share their dreams and plans for education and careers. Benjamin, one of our staff, has worked with these guys for close to ten years. A refugee from Ghana, he saw a desperate need in this community and started befriending and counseling youth.

Together with Benjamin, Paul, volunteers and community partners, these guys have cried, laughed, played basketball and lived a lot of life together. A couple of summers ago they ran a day camp for First Nations children in northern Ontario. Tonight they celebrate!

I feel honoured to be a guest, as traditionally only men attend this ceremony. Sitting among their mothers, aunts and grandmothers, I am challenged to be more than an observer, but to support, pray for and encourage these men on their life journeys. I consider and ask Benjamin and Paul, “What can I do to support and encourage this good work?”

A Wonderful Holiday Celebration

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:35:08 +0000

Just before Christmas, the Shoreham Court Animators, supported by our Community Development team, hosted a holiday celebration for their community. What a wonderful day it was, celebrating at the Shoreham Public School! Through the generosity of our partners, over 300 gifts were given to 150 children from 50 families in the Shoreham community. Wow! We are so grateful that your generosity allowed us to brighten this holiday season for so many young children.

Thanks to our sponsors:

CHUM Christmas WISH Foundation

Yorkminster Park Baptist Church

Local 112 CAW Union

Councillor Anthony Perruzza

Pizza Pizza

The Kay Family

Topcliff Community Day Care

DOXA of Youth Unlimited

Westview High School

Now accepting applications for Blueprints February 2012

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:10:00 +0000

Blueprints wants to hear from you! Do you live, work or go to school in the Jane-Finch community? Are you between the ages of 19 and 25? Do you think you have what it takes to start your own business? Have a business idea?

We want to hear from you! Blueprints is where ideas come to life.

Blueprints is a comprehensive, fully-support program to help young people launch their small business ideas. You’ll receive in-depth training, one-on-one business coaching and life skills mentoring. We know that successfully launching a business can take up to two years, and we’re ready and willing to walk the road with you.

Spread the word! We’re looking for 20 young entrepreneurs who are ready to get where they want to go. Learn more here or contact Paul or Meshell at 416.901.1625 or blueprints @ yunorthyork . com

You can also: learn more about the program or apply online right now!

Scott M: A Walking Tour of Inspiration

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:19:54 +0000

As an Area Director overseeing multiple ministry sites, one can sometimes feel disconnected from the on-the-ground day-to-day work of our frontlines staff. Yesterday morning, as part of our work with World Vision in community development (CD), our CD team (Stewart and Karen) were able to lead us on a site visit in the Shoreham community, one of two neighbourhoods where our CD work focuses. Stewart and Karen have mobilized a group of residents, now called the “Shoreham Court Animators”, to advocate for change in the community and spur their neighbours on to foster peace and wellbeing in Shoreham. Two of the Animators joined us for the visit and led us on a walking tour. Their passion, courage, and perseverance were, and are, inspiring.

But it was the kind words of affirmation just as we were leaving that truly touched my heart. We were talking with one of the animators who has lived in the Shoreham community for 30 years and loves her community desperately. She spoke softly, and with tears welling up in her eyes, expressed to us that none of the positive changes that were occurring in her life and in her community could have been possible without the help of Youth Unlimited, and specifically Stewart and Karen. To the outside eye, these changes may be subtle, even virtually unseen, but to this animator, it meant the world. It meant the world that two people and a organization like YU were willing to walk alongside her, all for the sake of making her home a safer, healthier and more whole place. A place that reflects the justice, rest and wellbeing of God’s Kingdom. For me, it was a moment of reconnection and of knowing that we’re making a difference.

// Scott M

Scott M: Youth Voices

admin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:36:12 +0000

YU North York is a proud partner of the Assets Coming Together for Youth project coordinated by York University. An essential part of the project is engaging youth rather than simply studying. We connect deeply with this as YU – always seeing young people as a source of hope and change in their communities.

Check out the 100 words 100 Jane-Finch youth used to describe their community, courtesy of the ACT Project:

The Bayview BMX Park is Rideable

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:26:11 +0000

The Bayview BMX Park is rideable! (Well, let the track settle until Wednesday.)

40 volunteers.
160 person-hours.
8 wheelbarrows.
30 trail-building tools (or so!).

Many thanks to Councillor David Shiner for his support!!

And we couldn’t have done it with the support of Scott Laver from the City and Daniel Scott from IMBA.

And, our sincerest of thanks to all who braved the weather and volunteered their time to make this happen.

BMX Park Restoration: Sunday October 2!!

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:11:30 +0000

Join us on Sunday, October 2nd from 12-6pm as we partner with the City of Toronto (among many others) to restore the Bayview BMX Park. It is currently unused and in a state of disrepair. We want to change that in order that we can engage young people through the sport of BMX cycling!

On Sunday, we will be pulling weeds, picking out rocks, moving dirt, and shaping trails and jumps!!

The City will be providing all necessary equipment. So just bring clothes that will get dirty, hands to be calloused and hearts willing and eager to serve!

The park is located behind Bayview Arena just north of Finch Avenue at 3230 Bayview Avenue.

For more information, contact Scott at scottmoore@youthunlimitedgta.com

YU: Reception of Friends – October 27

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:09:54 +0000

On October 27th, the Toronto chapter of YU will be hosting the “Reception of Friends”, a creative and engaging evening showcasing the work of YU across our city. This year’s theme is “Belonging” – something that all of us can relate to. Click on the image below for full details from the invitation.

Exploring the possibilities of BMX in Willowdale

admin — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:20:33 +0000

We are currently in the midst of assessing with the City of Toronto the possibility of restoring an abandoned dirt BMX track at Bayview & Finch and using this as a venue for the Revolution(s) program.

As part of this, we are trying to get a sense of the interest young people in Willowdale and beyond would have in using a dirt BMX track. In order to do this, we’ve created a petition that allows people to express their support for restoring this track and using it!

Sign the petition here. (But only sign it if you will actually use the track! Thanks!)

Partners of Thunder Initiative

admin — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:38:15 +0000

We’ve recently begun an initiative called “Partners of Thunder” in North York, launched by our Willowdale Youth Intern, Jesse James.

It is an initiative to foster partnership among “investors” and “movers” who are 35 and under, described as follows:

Seeking to foster commitment and generosity among our generation, Partners of Thunders hopes to engage “investors” — who are thirty-five years old and under — in partnering with community outreach workers (“movers”), who also (curiously) are thirty-five and under by supporting them through prayer, encouragement and financially for at least thirty-five dollars per month.

Learn more on our Facebook Page.