Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

Youth Assisting Youth (YAY) is a voluntary community-based mentoring organization, committed to promoting the healthy growth and development of young people, strengthening families and responding to and supporting changing community needs.

History of Organization

In response to the dramatic rise in Juvenile delinquency statistics, the Ontario Ministry of Correctional Services invited proposals from interested parties and communities for delinquency prevention programs.  A committee of concerned citizens, teachers, police and social workers in Scarborough Ontario submitted a proposal.  In 1976 the Scarborough proposal was approved for funding from the Ministry under the name YAY - Youth Assisting Youth.  Since its inception, YAY has grown and expanded each year, today serving all of the Greater Toronto Area.  We have worked with marginalized youth for 36 years, helping more than 30,000 young people and families along the way.  In 1992, The Federal Government Citizenship and Immigration HOST Program selected YAY to provide Newcomer Services to children and youth.  In 1994, YAY was awarded the Safe City Award from the City of Toronto for its Saddle Up For Success Program.  YAY developed a Pre-Match Program in conjunction with the HOST Program in 1997 to better serve the children on its waiting list.

Accolades and Accomplishments

YAY has received several prestigious awards over the years.  Those awards include: Safe City Award from the City of Toronto – 1994; Ruth Atkinson Hindmarsh Award – 2001; Ministry of Citizenship Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism in Ontario – 2003; Dubai International Award for Best Practices – 2006; and the Rotary Club International Youth Impact Award.  We have also received a number of Volunteer Awards including The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Volunteerism in Ontario; The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award; FLARE Magazine Volunteer Award; and the Vince Carter “Mr. Big” Volunteer Award.  In addition to these accolades, YAY has also developed numerous strong partnerships throughout the years, including with the TDSB, TCDSB, Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police Service, ING Direct and the Jays Care Foundation. Our program is also endorsed by the Diana Princess of Wales Foundation, the National Crime Prevention Council, the Toronto Police Association, the Police Chief of York Region and the Police Chief of Toronto.

Programs

>GIRLS ONLY (GO) Program
>One to One Youth Mentoring
>Group Mentoring Program

It is a proven fact that children and youth exposed to negative environments and influences are at risk of developing behavioural, emotional and/or social problems to the detriment of themselves, their families and the community. YAY has been addressing these influences since 1976, working with at-risk and newcomer children and youth throughout the Greater Toronto Area. We have helped more than 30,000 young people and their families; with a 98% success rate of keeping our kids healthy, engaged and in school. Peer Mentoring is the tool. Youth Engagement is our focus. Our years of experience have proven that the most successful form of prevention and engagement is Mentoring among youth, because they trust and understand each other.

YAY provides crucial support to a wide range of children who are experiencing behavioural, social, emotional and/or cultural difficulties.  Young adults from all cultures and diverse backgrounds are recruited to become peer mentors and encouraged to share their life experiences.  One-to-One Mentoring is our core program. This program matches at-risk and newcomer children, ages 6 to 15, with youth volunteer mentors, ages 16 to 29.  The program also provides ongoing support for parents of children in the program. Our second largest program is our Group Mentoring Program, which was designed to engage and develop the more than 450 children on the waiting list for their Mentor. This program consists of a variety of educational and recreational programs and activities, conducted on a regular basis throughout the Greater Toronto Area and York Region.  YAY also provides monthly, ongoing events and field trips for our kids. These events include the YAY Annual Family Picnic, YAY Summer Camp, trips to museums, Raptors, Maple Leafs and Argos games, fun Movie Nights, Holiday Parties and more.

GIRLS ONLY (GO) Program

Youth Assisting Youth’s Vital Youth Program is our newly developed Girls Only (GO) Program. The program is designed as a mosaic to connect the many life threatening issues facing young women today. Issues such as bullying, violence, gang involvement, inappropriate sexual relationships, substance use and abuse, can all be translated to a cry for help. The GO Program provides participants the opportunity to address these issues, as well as a foundation that encourages critical thinking around gender roles and stereotypes. GO provides structured activities and workshops designed specifically for girls age 12 - 15. Activities / Workshops include: Cooking / Nutrition, Leadership, Martial Arts / Self Defense, Personal Development, Boxing and Visual Arts. All activities enhance skills and understanding of the key issues facing young women today. Ultimately, the project will contribute to the overall health and wellness of each girl, strengthening knowledge and communication, while building confidence and self-esteem. 

Funding and Program Partners

Our Girls Only program is provided in conjunction with the Toronto Community Foundation and several other partners, including Toronto Public Health, MJKO Boxing, and Loblaws - Bayview Village Cooking School.

Program Impact

With funding from the Toronto Community Foundation, we were able to implement our very first Girls Only! Program, providing gender specific programming to 42 girls (ages 12-15) and 6 female youth mentors (16-29), ultimately contributing to their overall health and wellness, while strengthening their knowledge, communication skills and self-confidence. In addition, the success of this pilot program will provide us the potential opportunity to expand the program to other communities, ultimately having a greater impact in Toronto’s quality of life.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

•  “16% of women in Toronto’s lowest income neighbourhoods rated their health as “fair” or “poor” in 2006, compared to 6% in the highest income neighbourhoods.” (Toronto's Vital Signs®, 2010) 

YAY's Girls Only Program addresses this indicator with its Cooking / Nutrition, Martial Arts and Boxing components, by focusing on fitness and healthy living.  

Participant Vignette

The Girls Only! Program had a really positive impact on all of the girls who participated. One girl in particular, Jenni, was significantly impacted by the program. During the first session, Jenni sat quiet and distant from the group. She appeared to be very shy, and did not make eye contact with the other girls. Slowly but surely, with each passing session, Jenni’s confidence grew. She was finally beginning to come out of her shell. While learning Cardio, Fitness and Boxing skills, Jenni really excelled and grew before our eyes. After completion of the Boxing workshop, Jenni told the instructor and other girls that she felt strong and confident. Over the next few sessions Jenni began to share and discuss her opinions with the group; and she started making new friends.

During the final session, each girl received a t-shirt that was then passed around to the other girls, in order for them to each write a positive message about the owner of the shirt. Some of the messages that were written on Jennie’s t-shirt were “Strong and Beautiful”, “Thanks for coming out of your shell” and “Glad you’re my friend”. When the final session of the program ended, Jenni did not want to leave the program and her new friends. She even stayed behind and helped the volunteers clean up.   

Following completion of the program, the facilitators received a message from Jenni’s Mother.  She shared with them that Jenni talked for hours at home about the program and how much fun she had. Her Mother was thrilled, since Jenni doesn’t usually open up and is normally very quiet. Jenni showed her Mother all the wonderful things written on her Girls Only! t-shirt. The Mother said she couldn’t remember the last time she saw her daughter so happy.  Jenni went to school the next day proudly wearing her Girls Only! t-shirt. 

One to One Youth Mentoring

One to One Youth Mentoring relationships are the core and foundation of what we do. We match match at-risk and newcomer children, ages 6 to 15, with fully trained youth volunteer mentors, ages 16 to 29, in positive, caring relationships. Mentors are required to spend a minimum of 3 hours a week with the child for 1 year. However, the average mentoring relationship lasts 5 years, with many going well beyond that. Children are referred to our program through several channels, including schools (65%), child welfare agencies and settlement services. Youth volunteer mentors are recruited from high schools, universities, the community and the workplace. Toronto and York Region police officers are also recruited as volunteer mentors. Matches (Mentor and Mentee) are made according to common interests, spcific needs, and location.

Funding and Program Partners

Over the past 34 years YAY has operated as a grass roots community based organization that has built partnerships with all levels of government, community groups, service clubs and individuals. We have established strategic relationships with various organizations throughout Toronto and York Region. We currently receive funding from all levels of government, United Way, various foundations and through individual giving.

Funders include Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Ministry of Children and Youth Services, City of Toronto and Ontario Trillium Foundation.  Program partners include Toronto Public Health, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Toronto Police Service, York Region District School Board, York Regional Police

Program Impact

YAY serves roughly 1,500 children and youth per month and has helped more than 30,000 children, youth and their families over 35 years. The full and long term impact of our mentoring programs and services include: 

• Increased self-confidence, knowledge, awareness and skills
• Increased leadership abilities through positive peer interaction and mentoring.
• Increased engagement in healthy living and physical activities.
• Improved decision making skills leading to healthy lifestyle choices.
• Improved academic performance and peer relationships
• Improved family and community connection resulting in reduced social isolation.
• A strong sense of empowerment and achievement.
• A more complete sense of self and belonging.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

"Only 9% of boys and 4% of girls are meeting the new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines according to the 2011 Canadian Health Measures Survey. Physical activity levels have not increased in 5 years."

"Young adults (aged 20 - 34) have, on average, a weaker sense of belonging than older adults." (Toronto's Vital Signs 2011)

Participant Vignette

Fiona and Patrizia were matched in Jan ‘09. Patrizia is 13 years old and is a very shy young girl dealing with mild autism. She had a hard time looking anyone in the eye and when the home visit was done it was hard to determine  whether Patrizia was going to be able to form a relationship with a volunteer Mentor.

Patrizia's parents said it has been hard for her due to her autism but Patrizia told me herself that she really wanted a friend.  Her parents also thought that Patrizia is very loving and has a lot to offer if we found a patient mature person for her. Just a few days later I did a Home Visit with a volunteer that I immediately felt might be a wonderful match for Patrizia. She had a background in Social Services and while young, appeared mature for her age.  She worked as a social worker and has had experience with autistic clients in the past as well.  I felt as though Fiona might work really well with Patrizia and presented her as an option of a match.

After looking at commonalities in interests and personalities, we all got together for the match meeting.  Fiona was very patient and outgoing and friendly as Patrizia was shy and fairly quiet although her mother said she was VERY excited about meeting Fiona. The match meeting did not give me a lot of confidence but all decided to go ahead with the match. After months of match supervision I have been getting amazing feedback from Fiona and Patrizia's mother on how Patrizia has been so happy with Fiona, she is more outgoing and talkative, not only with Fiona but at school as well. Her confidence seems to have increased and they spend a lot of time together doing activities in public that Patrizia's mom feels really benefits Patrizia and felt that they are some things she felt Patrizia has always wanted to do but didn't have the confidence to try. Fiona has let me know that she really sees a positive change in Patrizia and feel's that their relationship continues to grow each time they see each other.

Group Mentoring Program

YAY's Group Mentoring Program provides immediate engagement and positive activities to the more than 450 at-risk children that are currently on our waiting list for a One-to-One Youth Mentor. These children have been sent to us because they are in need of guidance and support. It is vital that we provide every child that is referred to our agency with positive activities while they wait to be matched with a Mentor. Otherwise, we take the chance of losing them to any of the many risk factors assocciated with crime, bullying, obesity and delinquncy.  

All Group Mentoring activities focus on mentoring, healthy living and positive peer interaction, as well as social & personal development. Activities include our award winning Saddle Up For Success Program; Girls Only Program; Cooking, Health & Wellness; Photography; non-contact Boxing / Self-Defense; Martial Arts; Drug Prevention Video Production; Basketball and more. YAY also facilitates several After-School Mentoring Programs, to help children and youth productively utilize the time between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Each program consists of group mentoring, an educational, nutritional and recreational component, and are typically sponsored by the TDSB - located in TDSB schools. We also off ongoing, monthly special events and trips to support this program.

Funding and Program Partners

Over the past 34 years YAY has operated as a grass roots community based organization that has built partnerships with all levels of government, community groups, service clubs and individuals. We have established strategic relationships with various organizations throughout Toronto and York Region. We currently receive funding from all levels of government, United Way, various foundations and through individual giving.

Group Mentoring Funding Partners include Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Ministry of Children and Youth Services, City of Toronto and the Jays Care Foundation. Program partners include Toronto Public Health, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Toronto Police Service, York Region District School Board, York Regional Police

Program Impact

Last year, YAY's Group Mentoring Program included a total of roughly 220 activities with more than 2,000 pre-match children in attendance. In addition, children on the wait list had the opportunity to attend an additional 150 standard YAY special events with more than 2500 pre-match attendees.  The full and long term impact of our Group Mentoring Progra include: 

• Increased self-confidence, knowledge, awareness and skills
• Increased leadership abilities through positive peer interaction and mentoring.
• Increased engagement in healthy living and physical activities.
• Improved decision making skills leading to healthy lifestyle choices.
• Improved academic performance and peer relationships
• Improved family and community connection resulting in reduced social isolation.
• A strong sense of empowerment and achievement.
• A more complete sense of self and belonging.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

"Only 9% of boys and 4% of girls are meeting the new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines according to the 2011 Canadian Health Measures Survey. Physical activity levels have not increased in 5 years."

"Young adults (aged 20 - 34) have, on average, a weaker sense of belonging than older adults." (Toronto's Vital Signs 2011)

Participant Vignette

"YAY has become a huge part of Damon's life. The MJ's Rockys Boxing Program has been a great environment for Damon and has truly helped with his self-confidence and building new friends while he waits for a mentor. He is always so excited to go to this program as it gives him a chance to learn a new skill and take part in a physical activity at the same time."

 – Wendy Fabrizi, Damon's mom.

"Anton truly loves his Judo class. Thank you so very much for the opportunity. I think he is doing very well. He is going for his yellow belt testing at the end of his month. What I was wondering about, however, is if it is possible for Anton to come more often than once a week? This program has given him something to look forward to, while he waits for his Mentor.

We found a perfect sport for Anton! Thanks to you!!! I cannot stop thanking you for all the amazing things your organization is doing for our kids!!!"

- Valentina Kinareevski, Anton's mom.