The YMCA has provided leadership training for youth for over a hundred years. In 2007 we started the Newcomer Youth Leadership Development (NYLD) program to help newcomer youth and your parents have a positive settlement experience. NYLD offers safe, supportive and empowering spaces where you and your family can become active and engaged new Canadians.

NYLD focuses on integration, settlement, skill-building, volunteerism and community involvement. NYLD groups meet with a staff advisor each week to join in:

• Leadership training
• Social, creative and recreational activities
• Visits to popular city attractions
• Volunteer and community service learning projects
• Workshops from staff and guest speakers on youth topics
• Celebrations for special occasions, holidays and festivals

What are the benefits?

• Make new friends
• Improve your English
• Learn about Canadian culture and society
• Opportunity to teach others about your culture
• Learn about the Canadian school system
• Collect volunteer hours for school
• Build valuable leadership, teamwork and social skills
• Get involved in your community

Who can join?

• Newcomer youth ages 13-24
• Permanent residents (i.e. landed immigrants or convention refugees)

Can my family get involved?

Your parents, guardians, brothers and sisters are invited to participate in fun, educational and recreational family engagement activities! By taking part, your family gets to learn about youth culture in Canada too. Family engagement activities take place in the outdoors, Canadian-style, four times a year – in the spring, summer, fall and winter. Some examples of activities are apple picking, snowshoeing and visiting a conservation area or city park.

How can I find out more about all the activities?

Check out the NYLD newsletter, our activity calendars or watch our video.

How can I join?

First, check out the locations listed below to decide which is most convenient. Then you can:

1. Download the brochure (PDF 3.06MB), complete the application form inside and contact the NYLD advisor by calling the number listed below from the location you've chosen.
2. Or go to the location you'd like to join and fill in the form there.

You will also need your Permanent Resident (PR) card to register. If you are 13-17 years of age, your parent(s) or guardian(s) will need to sign a consent form for you.

Toronto Central Grosvenor St. YMCA Centre
20 Grosvenor Street, 3rd floor, Toronto 
416- 975-9168 x 32408

Etobicoke Albion Road YMCA Centre
1530 Albion Road, Suite 83, Etobicoke
416-741-6994 ext. 237

North York Dufferin Street YMCA Centre
4580 Dufferin Street, 2nd floor, North York
416-630-0330 x 154

Toronto Scarborough Town Centre Ct. YMCA Centre
230 Town Centre Court, Toronto
416- 609-0218 x 248

Brampton Union St. YMCA Centre
20 Union Street, Brampton
905-276-9322 x 208

Mississauga City Centre Drive YMCA Centre
151 City Centre Drive, Suite 800, Mississauga
905-276-9322 x 208

*Mississauga youth group only meets during the summer time (July and August)

Would you like our staff to deliver a workshop in your class, library or community?

We come to you! Our Learn and Lead workshop series for newcomer youth offer a great variety of topics to choose from, including leadership, communication, volunteering, post-secondary education, Canadian culture and more. Check out our flyer (PDF 1.41MB) for more details!

Questions?

For Toronto, email: nyld-toronto@ymcagta.org

For Peel Region (Brampton and Mississauga), email: nyld-peel@ymcagta.org