Supporting Success for Youth Across Ontario

Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Province Investing in Grassroots Community Projects to Build Skills and Create Opportunity

Toronto, ON – Apr 5, 2017

Ontario is supporting new opportunities for youth across the province to connect with mentors, learn new skills and achieve success.

Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services, made the announcement today at the Youth Action Network in Toronto. The centre’s MyStand project is receiving support through Ontario’s Youth Opportunities Fund to connect at-risk youth in the Greater Toronto Area with mentors and offer specialized workshops to help them develop new skills such as financial literacy, set and work toward goals and learn about healthy relationships.

A total of 41 projects across the province are receiving support this year in communities including, Akwesasne, Cambridge, Hamilton, Kenora, Kingsville, Lake Temagami, M’chigeeng, Nestor Falls, Ottawa, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thames Valley, Thunder Bay and Toronto.

Projects include:
•Skills training programs in film and media, digital literacy, costume design and the trades
•English language classes for newcomers
•Health promotions programs, including mental health support and creative therapy
•Sports and recreation programs to help youth stay active, build networks of friends and mentors
•Programs specially designed for Indigenous, racialized, newcomer and LGBTTQ youth
•Civic engagement opportunities, as part of Ontario150

Increasing supports and skill-building opportunities for children and youth in communities across the province is part of Ontario’s plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.