The YMCA has been providing leadership training for youth for over a hundred years. The YMCA Youth Leader Corps succeeds in providing youth with opportunities for volunteerism and leadership, but additional support is needed to help newcomer youth succeed. In 2008, the YMCA started the Newcomer Youth Leadership Development (NYLD) program to assist newcomer youth and their parents to have a positive settlement experience.

The NYLD Program includes:

1. Newcomer Youth Leader Corps (Newcomer YLC)

Newcomer YLC is a unique leadership-based settlement program with a focus on integration, settlement, skill-building, volunteerism and community involvement. Newcomer youth groups meet with a staff advisor weekly to participate in:

• Creative activities
• Workshops from staff and guest speakers on youth topics
• Visits to city attractions
• Volunteer and community service learning projects
• Celebrations for special occasions, holidays and festivals

This program helps youth to make new friends, improve their English, learn about Canadian culture and society, gain volunteer hours, and build valuable leadership, teamwork and social skills.

Who can join?

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

Some Newcomer YLC participants have also had the opportunity to take part in Voices: the YMCA Newcomer Youth Film Project and the Youth Exchanges Program.

Want to know more about our program? Check out the NYLD newsletter or our Activity Calendars for more information.

2. Family Engagement Activities

The NYLD program also takes the needs of newcomer parents into account and provides fun and educational programming for parents as well as youth. Activities include field trips, celebrations and events for youth and their families and workshops related to building healthy relationships with youth. Family engagement activities occur quarterly and provide opportunities for newcomer parents and youth to share quality time together with other newcomer families.

Additional support for newcomer parents and adults can be found through YMCA Newcomer Information Centres.

The YMCA Newcomer Youth Leadership Development program is an important step forward in service to newcomer youth in our community. The program offers safe spaces where youth and their families can strive to become active and engaged new Canadians.

How to apply

Download the brochure (PDF 3.06MB) and complete the application form inside or contact the following YMCA locations for more information:

Toronto NYLD

Central Toronto

• YMCA of Greater Toronto
  20 Grosvenor St., 3rd Floor
  Tel: (416) 975-9168 Ext. 32408

North York

• YMCA Employment & Newcomer Centre
  4580 Dufferin St., 2nd floor
  Tel: (416) 630-0330 Ext. 154

Scarborough

• YMCA Health, Fitness & Recreation Centre
  230 Town Centre Court
  Tel: (416) 609-0218 Ext. 248

Questions?

Email: nyld-toronto@ymcagta.org

Peel NYLD

Brampton

• The Brampton Civic Centre, Lower Level
  Library Meeting Room
  150 Central Park Drive
  Tel: (416) 928-3362 Ext. 22491

Mississauga

• YMCA employment Resource Centre
  151 City Centre Dr., 8th Floor
  Tel: (905) 276-9322 Ext. 208

Questions?

Email: nyld-peel@ymcagta.org