Our programs engage youth in meaningful ways, provide a safe space in the community, and offer a venue for life-changing relationships to form with our team of YU workers.

	Sketch&Believe // Vanessa Madden A weekly after-school arts program for middle- and high-school girls that seeks to create a space for young women to be creative and to find their voice in their community through art. Sample projects include drawing, sewing, screen-printing, collages, portrait and still life drawing, batik and photography. Contact Vanessa for more info (Select Programs: Sketch&Believe from the drop-down menu).
	Hoop 2 Hope // Benjamin Osei & Paul Bartley A weekly basketball outreach program for boys, helping them on their journey to manhood. Boys develop both basketball and life skills, intentionally encouraging the boys to take hold of their future and become responsible and caring men. This program is supported by Lisle Memorial Baptist Church. Contact Benjamin for more info (Select Programs: Hoop 2 Hope from the drop-down menu).
	Seeds of Hope // Benjamin Osei and Summer Staff Team A summer day camp for children ages 6-12 that seeks to help every young person in its care attain his or her life potential by providing a safe, fun, and enriching environment. The camp includes various activities such as faith-based instruction, character development, arts and crafts, field trips (such as the Toronto Zoo and Ontario Place), games, sports, academic instruction, and an optional overnight camping experience in the Muskoka region of Ontario at the end of August. This program is supported by Lisle Memorial Baptist Church. Contact Benjamin for more info (Select Programs: Seeds of Hope Day Camp from the drop-down menu).
	Blueprints // Paul Bartley  Blueprints is an initiative of YU that seeks to alleviate poverty in Jane-Finch through the lens of entrepreneurship. Blueprints targets youth ages 19-24 in Jane-Finch, educating them for life, improving their economic self-sufficiency and creating accountability by helping them create and implement a blueprint to launch a business idea or pursue a chosen profession in a team environment. The program will focus on life-skills mentoring, entrepreneurial training and youth wholeness. The impetus behind the project idea is to empower youth to take purposeful steps towards making their hopes and dreams a reality. In a community where the aspirations of youth are often unrealistic or not actively pursued, Blueprints will come alongside youth to create an environment where they can be mentored to tangibly explore and plan for their future. We are looking for business mentors and financial partners in this new program. If you are interested, please contact Scott Moore for more information (Select Programs: Blueprints from the drop-down menu). Visit the Blueprints webpage here!

Flemingdon Park Area

Roots // Mike A weekly program that connects with Grades 2-8 boys and girls in the Flemingdon Park community. Youth are taught by trained children and youth workers in a program which features sports, snack, games and teaching around life skills and exploring faith. Contact Conrad for more info (Select Programs: Roots Flemingdon Park from the drop-down menu).

Willowdale Area

Revolution(s) // Clem & Jesse A weekly program in Willowdale that engages youth ages 13-19 to discover through cycling & outdoor adventure, serve their community and live by journeying through life with a mentor. Contact Clem & Jesse for more info (Select Programs: Revolution(s) in Willowdale from the drop-down menu).

We also run several programs run in partnership with local churches and agencies. Visit our community partnerships page to learn more about these.