Program focus: Abuse, Behaviour Difficulty, LGBT, Mental Health, Nutrition, School, Sex Work, Trauma more…

The What’s Up Walk-In® Clinic is Toronto’s only free, six day a week mental health counselling walk-in service for children, youth, young adults, and families. The clinic helps with issues such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal ideation, sexual identity matters, bullying, behavioural concerns, addictions, and anything else that might be on one’s mind. All the information you provide is confidential.

Therapists offer single sessions up to an hour long. We don’t judge. We will support you in your concerns and work collaboratively with you. The focus is on abilities, resources, and skills that you have, or you want to develop. Together we will target a priority concern and develop a plan with you that you feel comfortable with. If you feel you need more help, you can come back to the What’s Up Walk-In. All our therapists are clinically trained.

The clinic is barrier free, and accessible. No health card or appointment is necessary and it’s completely free!  The What’s Up Walk-In network is a collection of 6 agencies operating at 8 sites across the City of Toronto.

Hours of service

In-person Sessions at Strides Toronto (as of September 11, 2023)
Monday, 2 PM – 8 PM
Tuesday, 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Thursday, 12 PM – 8 PM
Friday, 11 AM – 5 PM
Location: 1200 Markham Road, Suite 200, Scarborough

Virtual Sessions
Wednesday, 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Friday, 2 PM – 8 PM
Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM
To be connected to a counsellor for a telephone or video session, call us at 416-438-3697 ext. 0 for reception.

  • Registration closed 1h 30 mins prior to the end of in-person service hours.
  • No appointment is necessary; first come, first served.
  • Face masks are recommended for in-person sessions.
  • Services closed on statutory holidays.

Supported by RBC:

In partnership with:

Program focus: Communication Skills, Community Service/Volunteer Hours, LGBT, Skill Development, Socializing

The Volunteer Readiness Program serves youth looking to complete community service hours towards high school graduation or probation requirements. The youth is not required to have prior volunteer or work experiences to participate in this program. The volunteers participate in a variety of activities including community events and packing food hampers for those experiencing food insecurity among other things.

The youth are assured to gain community service hours and employability skills including communication and leadership skills through hands on experiences with the support of Youth Outreach Workers. They will also have opportunities to develop their resume and access other programs and services based on their individual needs.

Snacks and TTC tickets are provided for the youth volunteers.

Program focus: Communication Skills, Community, Multimedia, Skill Development, Socializing, Youth, Youth Engagement more…

Studio 2 Multimedia Program supports youth in the development of multimedia skills, as well as social skills, with an emphasis on media literacy, employability skills and mental health.

Our program uses various industry standard software and hardware to help youth design a variety of media projects. Youth are engaged under the supervision and guidance of professionals and Strides Toronto staff. Projects youth can work on include film and documentaries, print, photography, portfolio development, and music/audio recording. Programming is delivered through one-on-one sessions, group workshops and facilitated workshops in the community and/or school.

Shout out to the staff and students at DMT! For those looking for more info, DM me! 🙏🏽

Shout out to the staff and students at DMT! For those looking for more info, DM me! 🙏🏽

If you’re using a desktop or laptop computer click on this link to enter this virtual gallery and listen to some amazing beats produced by participants of the Studio 2 multimedia beat-making program. Enjoy! https://www.artsteps.com/view/64512d4142302b7377f0b2f8?currentUser

If you’re using a desktop or laptop computer click on this link to enter this virtual gallery and listen to some amazing beats produced by participants of the Studio 2 multimedia beat-making program. Enjoy! https://www.artsteps.com/view/64512d4142302b7377f0b2f8?currentUser

Posted @withregram • @thezone_stridesto Join us in The Zone this February as we celebrate Black History Month💚💛❤️

Mondays - Honouring Black History through food. Learn about and cook traditional Somalian, Kenyan and Jamaican dishes.

Wednesday February 1st and 8th - Learn about Black History while making a community quilt.

Friday February 10th - Black History games night

Friday February 24th - Black History movie night

📲 dm us if you have any questions! 

#BlackHistoryMonth #YouthEngagement

Posted @withregram • @thezone_stridesto Join us in The Zone this February as we celebrate Black History Month💚💛❤️

Mondays – Honouring Black History through food. Learn about and cook traditional Somalian, Kenyan and Jamaican dishes.

Wednesday February 1st and 8th – Learn about Black History while making a community quilt.

Friday February 10th – Black History games night

Friday February 24th – Black History movie night

📲 dm us if you have any questions!

#BlackHistoryMonth #YouthEngagement

Posted @withrepost • @thezone_stridesto Join us on Wednesday December 21st from 3-6pm for the Zone’s 2022 holiday party.

Wear your tacky holiday attire and drop in for games, prizes and some delicious food.

This is a free event for youth 12-25 years old.

Posted @withrepost • @thezone_stridesto Join us on Wednesday December 21st from 3-6pm for the Zone’s 2022 holiday party.

Wear your tacky holiday attire and drop in for games, prizes and some delicious food.

This is a free event for youth 12-25 years old.

Posted @withrepost • @mo_thesocialyow Hi everyone! The Zone is hosting their annual Holiday Food Drive and donations will be collected between November 14-December 9th. 

Some items that are high in demand: 
- rice 
- canned vegetables 
- canned fruit 
- coconut milk 
- beans 
- peanut butter 
- canned meat 
- pasta sauces 
Etc. 

Donate today!!

Posted @withrepost • @mo_thesocialyow Hi everyone! The Zone is hosting their annual Holiday Food Drive and donations will be collected between November 14-December 9th.

Some items that are high in demand:
– rice
– canned vegetables
– canned fruit
– coconut milk
– beans
– peanut butter
– canned meat
– pasta sauces
Etc.

Donate today!!


In partnership with

Program focus: Immigration, Skill Development, Socializing

We had a blast rock climbing at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre yesterday! 🧗🏽‍♀️

We have some pro climbers in our group! 🔥

#RockClimbing #CommunityEngagement #CommunityOutreach #NewcomerYouthEngagement #StridesTO #PanAm

We had a blast rock climbing at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre yesterday! 🧗🏽‍♀️

We have some pro climbers in our group! 🔥

#RockClimbing #CommunityEngagement #CommunityOutreach #NewcomerYouthEngagement #StridesTO #PanAm

Happy Pride Month!🏳️‍🌈💗

#Pride #PrideMonth #LoveIsLove #PrideToronto

Happy Pride Month!🏳️‍🌈💗

#Pride #PrideMonth #LoveIsLove #PrideToronto

Hello 😊!

Are you a newcomer youth, 12-21 years old❓

Join us on May 31st 📆 for the movies🎬🍿🥤. 

📌 Spots are limited! 📌

Please message💌 to register and get more information.

🎥📅📺
#newcomeryouthengagementprogram #newcomer #youth #stridesTO #movie #free #scarborough #toronto #freetrip #freeprogram

Hello 😊!

Are you a newcomer youth, 12-21 years old❓

Join us on May 31st 📆 for the movies🎬🍿🥤.

📌 Spots are limited! 📌

Please message💌 to register and get more information.

🎥📅📺
#newcomeryouthengagementprogram #newcomer #youth #stridesTO #movie #free #scarborough #toronto #freetrip #freeprogram

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The Newcomer Youth Engagement Program is for youth ages 12 to 21 who are immigrants to Canada and are permanent residents or conventional refugees. The program provides free activities every month that include volunteer opportunities, sports events, workshops and trips around Toronto.

The Newcomer Program offers two types of service:

  1. Orientation
    This program provides information on mental health services and social skills training to help newcomer youth and their families with the settlement process.  The importance of positive mental health and mental health stigma are discussed and connected to the immigration experience.  Information and strategies are explored through innovative and out of the box practices.  The Orientation stream also provides training to service providers and/or youth in schools and other community agencies on various mental health topics.
  2. Welcoming Communities
    This program provides newcomer youth and their families with the support, skills and training they need during the settlement process. Newcomer youth receive leadership and mentorship training.  They also receive homework help and educational supports to ensure they do well in school and develop employment skills.  Program workers focus on providing youth with information, skills and knowledge to help them adapt, settle, and integrate into Canadian life.  Workshops on topics such as communication and social skills, cross-cultural and diversity skills, and navigation on public transit are provided.  The Welcoming Communities program also provides training to service providers and/or youth in schools and other community agencies on various settlement topics.

Souhaitez-vous obtenir des services en français? Si oui, cliquez ici


Get In Touch

Contact program workers:

Program focus: LGBT, Multimedia, Socializing

The Zone Youth Space is a place where youth can come to create, connect, learn and inspire!

Created in partnership with Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, The Zone Youth Spaces provides a dedicated space for youth, consistent staff, and programming tailored to a variety of youth interests.

The Zone Youth Space offers free programming 6 days a week, that includes after-school youth drop in, employment and leadership workshops, homework help, multimedia programming, and more. The space is equipped with video games, board games, a pool table, foosball, computers, and free WiFi.

For more information, contact Lindsay Wheelans at lindsay.wheelans@stridestoronto.ca

Get In Touch with The Zone on Instagram

Program focus: Communication Skills, Community Service/Volunteer Hours, LGBT, Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness and Promotion, Skill Development, Socializing more…

The Strides Toronto New Mentality Youth Leadership program is part of a province-wide network of youth and adult allies working together to disable the label of youth mental illness and to amplify youth voice to create change in the children and youth mental health system and beyond.

The program consists of 2 to 3 projects a year that aim to destigmatize mental health in the community and bring awareness to mental health issues through art, photography, video and events and activities. All projects are created and implement by the youth with consistent supports from our adult allies. The goal of the program is to have participants engage in meaningful conversation about mental health, learning leadership and teamwork skills.

The Strides Toronto New Mentality Youth Leadership program is funded by the Children’s Mental Health Ontario. Snacks and TTC tokens are provided.

Program will resume in September 2023.


Funders/Partners

The Galloway After School Program (GASP) is a socialization, life skills, and activity group for adolescents and young adults in East Toronto who have been diagnosed with Autism or a mild to moderate developmental challenge.

Attendees learn life skills such as cooking, street-safety, sexuality and relationship building. GASP helps meet individual needs and provides a safe, structured, and fun environment where they can learn and develop more independence skills. Activities and outings encourage a sense of cooperation, responsibility and achievement.

GASP uses Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to help develop goals for the youth. Assigned Primary Workers are responsible for the ongoing monitoring on the progress of goals. Functional Behaviour Assessments are completed a minimum of once a year and may be used as the basis for individual goal development. Family meetings and discussion with the youth are also essential components involved in the development of goal.

The program runs two afternoons a week during the school year – approximately seven hours per week. The staffing ratio is one staff member per four youth.

Steps to access the program:

  1. Call the program at 416-724-7444
  2. Set up an intake appointment to discuss the program, its cost structure, suitability and interest
  3. Complete required paperwork; support to complete can be provided

Program focus: Autism, Developmental Disability, Skill Development, Socializing

AYCES provides programming for youth between the ages of 12 to 18 years of age with a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism (formerly called Asperger’s Syndrome).

The goal of the AYCES program is to encourage and help youth/young adults develop social and life skills, increase self-esteem, develop peer relationships, and create volunteer opportunities.

AYCES includes the following services:
• After-school program
• Summer camp
• March break
• Alumni Group
• Saturday outings

How to Enroll

  1. Call the program at 416-724-7444
  2. Set up an intake appointment to discuss the program, its cost structure, suitability and interest
  3. Complete required paperwork *support to complete can be provided

Registration Open for AYCES Summer Program 2023