Three-in-One. In some circumstances it might sound like a sweet deal, but when it comes to our city, Toronto, it speaks of polarization, division and exclusion. A recent articlesummarizes done by the University of Toronto:

As researchers at the University of Toronto’s Cities Centre have documented, over the last 30 years Toronto has become segregated by income into three distinct cities. City No. 1 consists of the richer and whiter downtown core and well-heeled neighbourhoods close to the subway lines. City No. 3 — or the Third City — includes Toronto’s low-income neighbourhoods, with high concentrations of racialized poverty. Generally found in the in the northeastern and northwestern parts of Toronto, incomes in these neighbourhoods have declined 20 per cent or more since 1970. City No. 2 consists of middle-income neighbourhoods that fall in between and are shrinking in size as Toronto becomes a more socio-economically polarized metropolis.

Here at YU North York, we often find ourselves in the ‘Third City’. We stand firm in our belief that young people in any city are filled with potential and have hope for a bright present and future. Every person, no matter where in the ‘three-in-one’ they live contains within them the make-up of the Divine.

But our heart is also to bring reconciliation and unity between ‘the cities’. To show that we are all in this together and we all need each other to create communities of safety, peace and wholeness. Where there is exclusion, we hope to bring unity. Where there is isolation, we hope to bring community. Where there is scarcity, we hope to reveal abundance.

Join us on the journey!

As Area Director for North York, I have the fun job of making wider connections throughout the GTA, sharing about Youth Unlimited’s work and vision for young people in this city. In this task, our hope is always to develop a ‘wholistic’ sense of community in this city. While urban life can often create pockets of isolation, we seek to bring connection by rallying people around the vast potential young people have in North York.

Last week, we received an inquiry through our website about our new program for youth entrepreneurship – Blueprints. We had posted a video on our Blueprints Facebook page of author and speaker Richard St. John, who has written a book called “8 To Be Great“, and the inquiry was from none other than him.

A few days later, I had the pleasure of sitting down and hearing Richard’s inspirational life story and the engaging presentation he gives to young people around the world. He has run marathons in 7 continents, won international marketing awards and been married for over 35 years. Richard’s desire was to share this story with young people that really needed to hear it, to know that they can succeed by putting to practice a few basic principles. I loved that for Richard, success was not about making lots of money, but about following your passions and dedicating yourself to them. So he has offered to come to Jane-Finch and speak with the young people we work with there in the Blueprints program. That’s connection. Thanks, Richard. (Check out Richard’s website at http://www.richardstjohn.com/.)

Compassion. It is a word we hear bandied about with regularity, but too often it is merely described as an emotion. Compassion, to be true to itself, must link heart-felt emotion with intentional action. It is to leave what is comfortable to come alongside and journey with another.

As I reflect on each of the team members of YU North York, I see compassion restored to its truest and deepest meaning. People who have left stable jobs to serve youth in North York, and others volunteering, giving up their Friday nights to be with young men.

Our team embodies what YU North York is about, by being:

1. Present in the community – available not just during ‘program’ times but available to journey through everyday life with youth;
2. A positive adult role model, which is consistently recognized as the single biggest influence on a young person’s life;
3. Creative in engaging youth and adapting to the needs of the community;
4. Passionate about young people – not as tomorrow’s leaders but as positive and transformative members of society today; and
5. Rooted in our faith – in the midst of the challenges facing youth in North York, it is the hope of a living and loving God that keeps us pressing on.

What makes me most excited is that for each member of our team, there is a whole network of people joining in that ministry through financial support, prayer and encouragement. This is such an essential part of YU North York.

If you are just learning about us, check out all the ways you can join us.

//  Scott Moore