Province Investing in Grassroots Community Projects to Build Skills and Create Opportunity
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.
Quick Facts
- The 41 projects will be receiving more than $12 million this year from Ontario’s Youth Opportunities Fund, and will be delivered by grassroots, youth-led, community-based organizations.
- Since its launch in 2013, the Youth Opportunities Fund has provided approximately $17 million to 74 community groups benefitting over 115,000 youth.
- Grants are awarded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation based on how well projects address desired outcomes in Stepping Up: A Strategic Framework to Help Ontario’s Youth Succeed.
- The Youth Opportunities Fund is part of the province’s $55-million enhanced Ontario Youth Action Plan, Ontario’s largest investment to date to help children and youth in high-priority communities across the province.
- Under the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan, the Youth Opportunities Fund will be increased by $1 million annually to support grassroots projects focused on skills development programming.
- The application period for next year’s grants will launch this summer.
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