Dear Friends, Partners and Supporters:
While we often strive for balance in our lives, I have come to appreciate a different focus of late. That focus is on finding a rhythm. A rhythm in life that is life-giving, holistic and nurtures wellbeing and service to others. An essential part of such a rhythm is pausing to celebrate. As our calendar year draws to a close, we wanted to pause to celebrate you, our partners, and the youth we serve throughout the Greater Toronto Area. As you scroll through this celebration of thanks from the past year, may you be encouraged by the role you are playing in the transformation of young lives throughout our city.
Sincerely,
Scott Moore, Executive Director, Youth Unlimited
Transformed Youth, Transforming Our City
Fulfilling The Vision Of Youth Unlimited in 2016.
We believe in the potential of young people to bring about positive change to our city - both now and in the future. This kind of full-life transformation is what happens when youth encounter and experience God's love for them. Our hope is that by cultivating meaningful relationships with caring adults who will mentor and cheer them on throughout various events and milestones, youth will see the same potential within themselves.
This past year, we saw a total of 5,203 youth reached through one of our 65 programs taking place in communities around the Greater Toronto area. Of that total, 717 youth were engaged in ongoing, meaningful relationships with our staff and volunteers. Through those relationships, we were able to celebrate real transformation in the lives of these youth.
Because of your help, this past year we were able to journey with youth through crises & milestones.
Celebrating New Programs & Initiatives
Through our staff, volunteers, and programs, we're working with youth in communities all over the Greater Toronto Area.
With over half a million youth in the GTA, the potential for city transformation is huge. Over the last year we have added even more staff and more programs and initiatives in order to reach even more youth.
Some of our new programs include: a youth health initiative out of The Shop in Newmarket, a football league in the Lakeshore area, the Iron Fruits Fitness mentoring program in the Jane/Finch area, Bridge Music in Willowdale, and more!
By Investing In Youth, We're Transforming Communities
Last year, we reached 1266 youth through 31 different community outreach programs and initiatives. Programs like our Seeds of Hope Daycamp in the Yonge and Finch area which hosted 101 kids this summer for seven weeks of camp.
Many of these programs build meaningful relationships, not only with the youth; but also with parents and other family members. This gives Youth Unlimited staff a particular ability to care for entire families through various events.
Meeting A Diversity Of Needs Requires A Unique Approach
Through our 17 specialized initiatives we were able to journey with 902 young people last year as they transitioned off the streets, exited sex work, or went through the criminal justice system.
For example, our Young Parents program is working with 35 families right now, caring for young moms in either Brampton, Scarborough, or Downtown. Many of these moms join the program at 17 years old and stay until they're 26. They are also hosting a Young Dad's online support group as well.
Helping Youth Succeed In All Areas Of Life
Another way we celebrate transformation in the lives of youth is by mentoring them in ways that focus on employment readiness, job-skills training, and even helping them find work.
Last year, Youth Unlimited facilitated 5 marketplace initiatives that led to helping 104 youth find a job or placing them in one.
This sort of holistic transformation happens when our staff and volunteers are able to establish the kind of meaningful relationships that can encourage whole-life change. Listen to one of our community outreach workers, Paul, share a story of a young man he mentored.
Providing Critical Training For Youth Leadership
Our vision is that youth themselves would be a redemptive presence in our city. This means finding ways to equip youth to lead in their schools, teams, churches, and with their peers.
Our LAUNCH program, which specializes in these sorts of training and equipping initiatives, hosted 93 workshops last year to facilitate youth leadership.
Of course, celebrating this kind of transformation in the lives of youth could not happen without help.
Partnerships
Youth Unlimited has a total of 187 partnerships with churches, businesses, and other community organizations. We'd like to thank them for their continued support of youth in our city.
Individuals
As a charitable organization we could not exist without the donations of concerned individuals who support our staff, programs, and initiatives. We have over 4000 people we want to thank for generously giving to make our vision happen. We also want to thank all those who pray for us and the youth regularly.
Youth Unlimited
57 Mobile Drive, Toronto, ON M4A 1H5
416.383.1477
yu@youthunlimitedgta.com