Program focus: Communication Skills, Community Awareness, LGBT, Mental Health, School, Skill Development, Socializing, Violence Prevention, Youth Engagement more…
The Respect in Schools Everywhere (RISE) Program is a youth-led, school-based violence prevention and mentorship program for grades 9 to12 students.
Youth participants are responsible for developing and facilitating workshops for students who are in grades 7 to 12 with a focus on bullying, mental health, social media education, stigma, and conflict resolution. RISE has developed a program model for schools that is evidence-informed and incorporates current and relevant research.
Get In Touch with RISE on Instagram
Program focus: Anti-Human Trafficking, Bilingual Services (French), Case Management, Child Welfare, Employment, Housing, Legal, LGBT, Mental Health, School, Sex Work, Sexual Relationships, Skill Development, Substance Abuse, Trauma, Work more…
Youth In Transition Workers aim to meet youth where it is more convenient for them, in the community, at coffee shops, libraries or at the office. Some resources and supports offered to youth may include:
- Housing and or educational supports
- Employment and services training
- Life skills (e.g., financial management and household management)
- Legal services and psychoeducation
- Health and mental health services
- Access to Trauma Therapy and Human Trafficking Peer Support Group
- Snacks and TTC fare for case management needs
- Access to Strides Food Mart available upon sign up
In addition to the above supports, Strides YIT workers provide targeted/focused assistance in the following areas:
- Mental Health and Addictions YIT
- Bilingual (French speaking) YIT connects youth with Francophone resources within their communities.
- Anti-Human Trafficking YIT provides individualized case management to youth at risk of sexual exploitation and Human Trafficking.
The length of work with youth varies based on their long-term and short-term goals. Once youth provide consent, referrals can be emailed directly to our team: YIT@Stridestoronto.ca.
Eligibility Details
Youth aged 16 – 24 years and is:
- in Extended Society Care or
- in a formal Customary Care arrangement immediately prior to the youth’s 18th birthday or
- eligible for support under Continued Care and Support for Youth (CCSY) or
- accessing Ready, Set, Go (RSG) funding
Get in touch with Strides Toronto Youth In Transition (YIT) workers on Instagram:
Program focus: Communication Skills, Community Service/Volunteer Hours, LGBT, Skill Development, Socializing
The Volunteer Readiness Program serves youth between12 to 25 years of age who are looking to complete community service hours towards high school graduation and/or probation requirements.
Youth will participate in a variety of activities including community events and packing food hampers for those experiencing food insecurity among other things. Participants 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.
In partnership with
Program focus: Immigration, Skill Development, Socializing
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:
- 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. - 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.
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Program Calendar
Program focus: Abuse, Employment, Housing, Legal, LGBT, Mental Health, Multimedia, School, Sex Work, Trauma more…
Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) is an initiative that aims to bring the right services to youth (and their families) at the right time and in the right place.
We provide youth aged 12 – 25 with a range of services to address needs related to mental health, substance use, primary care, education, employment, housing, and other social services. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where youth can access support, connect with peers, and engage in activities that promote wellness.
When you first get connected to our Youth Wellness Hub, we will help you identify which service is the best fit for your needs.
Meet our integrated care team:
- Harm Reduction Counselling
If you need support reducing harm and improving well-being in relation to substance use, counsellors are available to provide you with guidance and tools to help you navigate through life while making safer and informed decisions. - Counselling
Therapists are available to help you explore your emotions, gain insights into your behaviours and thoughts, and provide helpful strategies that you can implement in your daily life. Whether you want to talk about anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationships, coping with trauma or managing stress, our counsellors will listen and support you in enhancing your emotional well-being. - Peer Support
Peer support workers provide support, guidance and understanding through their shared experience of navigating mental health services. Peer support is offered in both individual and group settings. - Care Navigation
Care navigators will work with you to set and achieve goals in areas such as health, mental health, employment, education, housing, and more. They will also help you to navigate social service and healthcare systems to find the best options for you. - Health Services
Our nurse practitioners can provide you with short term clinical care including physical, mental, and sexual health. They are here to help you with needs such as managing medications, discussing birth control options, referring to specialists and more. If recommended by one of our providers, a psychiatric consultation is also available to help with diagnosis, treatment plans, and medication management.
A proud partner of Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario
Program focus: Abuse, Employment, Housing, Legal, LGBT, Mental Health, Multimedia, School, Sex Work, Trauma more…
Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) is an initiative that aims to bring the right services to youth (and their families) at the right time and in the right place.
We provide youth aged 12 – 25 years with a range of services to address needs related to mental health, substance use, primary care, education, employment, housing, and other social services. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where youth can access support, connect with peers, and engage in activities that promote wellness.
When you first get connected to our Youth Wellness Hub, we will help you identify which service is the best fit for your needs.
Meet our integrated care team:
- Nurse Practitioner
Our Nurse Practitioner provides primary care and transitional clinical care related to physical, mental and sexual health. They can support you with clarifying a diagnosis, creating treatment plans, prescribing and managing medication and making referrals to specialized health services. - Care Navigation
Care navigators will work with you to set and achieve goals in areas such as health, mental health, employment, education, housing, and more. They will also help you to navigate social service and healthcare systems to find the best options for you. - Counselling
Therapists are available to help you explore your emotions, gain insights into your behaviours and thoughts and provide helpful strategies that you can implement in your daily life. Whether you want to talk about anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationships, coping with trauma or managing stress, our counsellors will listen and support you in enhancing your emotional well-being. - Peer Support
Peer support workers provide support, guidance and understanding through their shared experience of navigating mental health services. Peer support is offered in both individual and group settings. - Harm Reduction
If you need support reducing harm and improving well-being in relation to substance use, counsellors are available to provide you with guidance and tools to help you navigate through life while making safer and informed decisions.
A proud partner of Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario
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 Jessica Myers at jessica.myers@stridestoronto.ca
Get In Touch with The Zone on Instagram
Program focus: Communication Skills, Community Service/Volunteer Hours, LGBT, Mental Health, Skill Development, Socializing
The New Mentality group at Strides Toronto 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 New Mentality group at Strides Toronto is funded by the Children’s Mental Health Ontario.
Funders/Partners
