| Job Talks Inc. | The Skilled Trades and YOU | In this interactive virtual presentation, Dr. Jon Callegher helps students see how different careers in the skilled trades and construction industry can address a variety of personal and work-related interests. He introduces the concept of “balanced intelligence” as a defining quality of tradespeople. He explains 5 Reasons To Try An Apprenticeship in high school, including: 1) Get Work Experience, 2) Work With Your Hands, 3) Have Teacher Support, 4) Learn How to Run a Business, and 5) Earn While You Learn. This session helps to change mindsets toward the trades among students, educators and parents. Suitable: Grades 7-11, staff; parents/caregivers |
| WeeFestival of Arts and Culture | Theatre and Culture for Early Years | Led by professional artists, performances and workshops engage early years students in theatre, dance, music, movement/dance, visual arts in a storytelling form. Delivered in-person or virtually, sessions explore a range of themes including friendship, the environment, loss and change, overcoming fears, embracing difference/different abilities and cultural diversity. Workshops include "Kindergarten Drama Workshops", an active and creative movement workout; "Firefly Story Theatre Project", a drama and storytelling project, over a series of sessions, that collects and dramatizes students' original stories. Theatre performances for assemblies are available and changes each year; some productions are offered in French. |
| Young People's Theatre | Theatre Education Activities in Schools | YPT offers a wide selection of educational programming in schools including Pre- and Post-Show Workshops, Specialized Workshops and Residencies. These are all designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of a particular theme or arts practice, enhance their theatre-going experience, and provide them the opportunity to actively engage in creative drama. Pre- and Post-Show Workshops guide students through a series of drama exercises as a way to more deeply explore themes associated with a YPT production. Specialized Workshops and Residencies allow students to explore a specific theme or area of interest such as – but not limited to – acting, dance, stage combat, clowning, puppetry, design, prop building, playwriting or stage carpentry. YPT engages professional facilitators of the highest quality who have extensive experience working with young people using a diversity of artistic approaches. Suitable: Kindergarten - Grade 12 |
| Abilities Centre Durham | Therapeutic Recreation In Schools (TRIS) | A range of skills is needed for youth to successfully transition after high school into community supports/activities, independent living and paid employment. Using Therapeutic Recreation (TR) programming, partner agency staff will work with youth with disabilities and TDSB Special Education staff to augment, enhance and enrich students' resiliency, skills and preparedness for workplace, community supports/activities and future planning. Serving: Grades 9 - 12 with a focus on those in Special Education; Professional Learning for Staff. |
| Sunshine Therapy Dogs | Therapy Dogs | Pet therapy sessions, with small groups of select students referred by TDSB Professional Support Services, reduce students’ stress and anxiety by providing physical and emotional support in school communities that have experienced a traumatic event or crisis. Trained therapy dogs are accompanied by their certified handlers who guide each interaction. Suitable: referred students Kindergarten-grade 12; staff |
| Think 2wice International | Think 2wice | The program facilitates workshops and motivational speaking topics that aim to prevent or respond to youth violence, gang involvement and criminal activity. Guest speakers with lived experience of gang involvement and the criminal justice system engages youth to take up positive leadership roles in their schools and communities and to create violence free schools, communities, and lives. Through music, theatre, film, story sharing and testimonials, students work through topics on violence, mindset, consequences, coping strategies, and community supports. Workshops may be tailored based on audience and their impact from violence. Professional learning may be available. Suitable: Grades 7-12; staff |
| The Yonge Street Mission | Thinking Forward Leadership Program | This program offers character development and leadership training for students, to help children and youth strengthen their interpersonal and leadership skills, and to challenge them to address social needs. Sessions provide inclusive and equitable learning opportunities that use the arts and leadership development as a platform to help students develop and improve their well-being. Students participate in hands-on, art activities that highlight themes of belonging, diversity, anti-bullying, teamwork, and community. A variety of methods, resources and activities are used including painting, role-playing, designing and building, illustrating, and art exhibits to showcase student work. The program is customizable to suit the needs and schedule of the school and students. Serving: Grades 1-8 |
| Tools for All Teens | Tools for All Teens | Tools for All Teens is a self-empowerment program which provides teens with wellness activities and tools such as yoga, mindfulness meditation and journaling to assist them in calming their minds and bodies. These tools enable youth to better manage stress and enhance their mental health and well-being. Mindfulness activities are used to support students’ engagement and improve learning and success, while teaching important life skills in self-awareness.
Sessions can also be provided for staff teams, and for parents, as scheduled. Serving: Grades 7-12, Staff, Parents/Caregivers
|
| Rebecca Baird | Traditional Indigenous Art Practices | Workshops provide a hands-on experience that result in a tangible, memorable takeaway using a variety of Indigenous materials and art forms. Sample works include individual artwork using porcupine quills on birch bark, two-row wampum bracelets created using traditional Indigenous materials, beaded rosettes, individual cloth banners containing Indigenous teachings, or creation of a lasting on-site mural depicting Indigenous visual storytelling. Facilitator, Rebecca Baird, engages students in meaningful dialogue, citing the visual and material symbolism involved, including traditional Indigenous environmental teachings and relationships of cross-generational connections between the individual and community. Such teachings create a rewarding learning experience of Indigenous cultural values that reaches out and impacts meaningfully upon the community at large. Suitable: Grades 5-12
|
| University of Toronto | Transplant and Organ Donation Presentation | Presentations by medical professionals and transplant recipients are available for secondary school science, health & Physical Education, and Civics classes to educate students about the science, the success, civic engagement and medical careers in the field of organ and tissue transplantation; and, the importance of organ and tissue donation. Suitable: Grades 9-12 |
| Rita Dagenais | Treaty Making in Canada | Lawyer's perspective on treaty making. Treaties have been signed since 1701 and are still being negotiated today. Every treaty tells a story. The presentation focuses on WHY treaties were signed, with an emphasis on the perspectives of the Indigenous signatories. These sessions provide a brief overview of the history of treaty making, beginning with the Peace and Friendship Treaties signed during the Seven Years War. But I focus primarily on the land cession treaties whereby Indigenous nations surrendered ownership (aboriginal title) of their lands to the Crown. The government wanted to acquire Indians lands to allow for the building of railways, resource development and settlement. I explore the issue of why Indigenous people would sign these treaties. The only way to answer this question is to understand the circumstances faced by Indigenous groups just prior to signing these treaties (disappearance of the buffalo, starvation, epidemics). Focus is on 2 treaties: Treaty 6 signed by the Cree in 1876 and Treaty 7 signed the following year by the Blackfoot. Serving: Grades 9-12 |
| Greater Toronto Hockey League ( GTHL ) | Try Hockey | This program introduces the sport of hockey through the game of floorball to students in grades 2-6 who have previously been unable to play the sport. Certified coaches deliver the program in the school gymnasium where small groups practice basics of stick-handling, passing and shooting. Students will participate actively and engage in a variety of movement competencies, and demonstrate an understanding of the value of regular physical activity in their daily lives. With follow-up communication, coaches provide further support to maximize sustainability and teacher resources are made available including access to floorball lesson plans. Following the in-school portion, students/families are invited to the local arena to try hockey on the ice. |
| Youth Empowering Parents | Turning Youth From 'Educated' to 'Educator' | Leadership development program for grade 5-8 students to build confidence and put them in the role of a teacher. The program begins with staff training students in communication, sequencing of steps, problem solving and social skills. Students are then paired with younger students or parents/caregivers (from the school community) to teach simple lessons. Matches occur either one-on-on-one or small group setting. When students are teaching parents/caregivers, topics will be chosen based on student's skill and the needs of the parent/caregiver. Sample lessons include: technology skills, basic English conversation/speaking, reading, math, playing a musical instrument. Youth Empowering Parents staff supervise the interactions and provide ongoing feedback to help students build their communication, leadership, perseverance and social-emotional competencies. Suitable: Students in grades 5-8 as leaders; Grades K-4 and parents/caregivers as learners
|
| University of Toronto | U of T Trash Team: Waste Free Tomorrow | A team of students from the University of Toronto delivers a series of four workshops to increase science and waste literacy with grades 4 to 6 students, while fostering curiosity in our natural world through STEM based activities. Delivery in -person or virtually, students participate in inquiry-based learning while working on activities and focus on tangible solutions in waste reduction. Lessons and topics include: 1) life-cycle of plastic 2) watersheds and their relationship to litter 3) impacts of plastic on the ecosystems 4) solutions to plastic pollution. Students also have an opportunity to engage with scientists in the field, learn about current research in plastic pollution and career options available in STEM. Suited: grades 4 to 6. |
| University Health Network | UHN STEM Pathways | UHN staff offer a variety of experiential learning opportunities to help students increase their understanding of STEM and careers in STEM especially from under-represented communities. Programming includes both in-person and virtual programs, hands-on activities, classroom visits, interactive scientist panels, experiential learning opportunities. Students will increase their understanding of STEM in an interactive learning environment. In this process, they will be connected to strong, visible role models and gain access to new resources and opportunities and connections to the real world. Suitable: Kindergarten, Grades 1-12
|
| Doane Music School | Ukulele In the Classroom | This enrichment program uses the versatility of the ukulele to enhance music literacy skills for students in grades 3-12. Professional musicians/instructors use the Ukulele in the Classroom pedagogy which strengthen students musical understanding, social skills, and enjoyment. Sessions focus on introduction to ukulele, playing ukulele, improvisation, playing in an ensemble and performance. Students will enhance the following skills: improvisation, ear training, note recognition (both on the page and on the instrument), harmony and rhythm through chording and finally through repertoire which uses all of these elements and performing.
|
| Ian Keteku | Uncover Your Hidden Voice | Facilitated by a National Slam Champion and World Poetry Slam Champion, these workshops introduce students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, to the spoken word form. Sessions encourage students to engage with language in new, personal, and imaginative ways. Writing skills and tools for creative expression are enhanced in grade specific abilities. Students learn the literary tools and techniques used to effectively communicate messages and emotions. Workshops culminate with students performing their own unique spoken word piece to their class. |
| Emil Sher | Unpacking the Holocaust: A Playwright's Journey | This multimedia presentation weaves still images and video footage from the acclaimed stage production of Hana's Suitcase, which chronicles the short life of a girl killed in Auschwitz. What are the challenges, the choices, the considerations when history is honoured and dramatized on stage? How far into the darkness of the Holocaust do you go when children are in the audience? How can sets, costumes, masks, slides and silence give voice to an unspeakable tragedy? These are some of the questions that are explored by playwright Emil Sher in a presentation that is capped by a discussion where students are tasked with making a moral choice about who to shelter in wartime. Students also learn about the creative process in transforming history into a stage play and the connections between art and history. Serving: Grades 5 - 12 |
| Unstoppable Tracy Inc. | Unstoppable You | As a bestselling author, award-winning leader, speaker, humanitarian, and decorated athlete, Unstoppable Tracy provides tools tied to the Ontario Learning Outcomes for Resilience and Determination, for audiences to affect positive change and acceptance to everyone around them. Tracy's verve for life and ability to overcome obstacles are immediately apparent in these keynote presentations, sharing her story of commitment and perseverance, courage, and positivity, and that challenges misconceptions. Unstoppable Tracy provides a unique and inclusive perspective on diversity as a person who was born with a disability, as a 4-way amputee. With humour and motivation, Unstoppable Tracy inspires all audiences to set goals and persevere through adversity, doing whatever it takes in order to achieve success. Suitable: Kindergarten, Grades 1-12; staff; parents/caregivers |
| University of Toronto | UTSC Computer and Mathematical Sciences & Future Careers | Faculty staff deliver workshops on Computer and Mathematical Sciences, the diverse futures in the field and creative careers in the industry. Sessions make Computer and Mathematical Sciences more accessible to students while dispelling misconceptions about Computer and Mathematical Sciences. Students are exposed to diverse careers and pathways to post-secondary education and information on what life is like for Computer Scientists in the real world. Workshops offer hands-on experience in programming, creating art with code, coding challenges, complex Scratch simulation and modelling. Professional learning may be available. Suitable: Grades 7-12; staff
|
| University of Toronto | UTSC Imani Academic Mentorship | UTSC mentors offer academic and mentoring support (social-emotional, identity, cognitive) to African Canadian youth at selected middle and high schools in East Scarborough. UTSC mentors build confidence in TDSB student mentees with a focus on supporting post-secondary access to college or university. UTSC mentors provide homework help, one-one mentoring at selected elementary and secondary schools. The program’s goal is to support Black Student Success by supporting the needs of a student population that historically has been under-represented at post-secondary education institutions. |
| McMichael Canadian Art Collection | V.O.I.C.E.S | V.O.I.C.E.S., Visual Outreach Initiative Creating Empowered Students, program provides student leadership and empowerment through art-based activities to select grade 4/5 students. These in-person sessions nurture students' self-esteem and leadership skills through exploration of Canadian Art from the McMichael collection. Five learning sessions provide an opportunity for students to work with professional artist(s) within the studio space to explore creative processes, experiment with art materials and art-making. The sixth session culminates in a showcase of individual artwork and celebration of students along with giving students an opportunity to take on a leadership role within their schools as they lead a component of the program to their peers.
|
| Hamilton-Wentworth Green Venture | Vermicomposting Workshop | This wiggly worm workshop allows students to observe a vermicomposting habitat and see how worms recycle food waste to produce valuable compost. Learn how composting relates to food waste, discuss why food waste is an important environmental issue, and learn the science of composting. Sessions may focus on setting up a vermicomposting bin from scratch or how to care and troubleshoot vermicomposting bins. All materials will be provided by the facilitator for hands-on learning experience. In addition, follow-up activity guide and supplementary lessons are provided to further the learning beyond the workshop. Suitable: All grades |
| Progressive Tennis League | Virtual Enrichment Tennis Programming | The program provides virtual workshops to students using modified equipment to make learning tennis fun and easy. A team based approach is used to introduce the ten steps towards rallying and the five fundamentals of tennis for JK/SK. Students in grades 1-8 explore tennis fundamentals, reception/projection and movement skills in a dynamic team based environment. Suitable: Kindergarten, Grades 1-8 |
| Tapvigo Solutions Inc. | Virtual Reality for Learning: Empowering Minds through Immersive Tech | This program engages teachers and students in new technologies and provides immersive learning experiences through the use of extended reality (XR) applications. Led by Black professionals, sessions provide participants a better understanding of immersive technology and its applications, opportunity to explore immersive tools that highlight diverse content and culturally-aware narratives. Workshops include all equipment required for participation and will adapt to all learners with a focus on underrepresented groups. Participants will also hear about the diverse careers in the technology sector. Professional learning is available for staff who are seeking to incorporate immersive technology into their classrooms. Suitable: Grades 6-8; staff
Questions to partner: The proposal is still to 'general', is the lesson plan he provided for staff *and* students (currently only says staff)? If it's for both then you can take out professional learning as it's then a co-curricular kind of learning (both staff and students at the same time). Will students be creating anything? Please double check the learning outcomes but if there is more of a resulted 'project-based' learning then change the learning outcomes. Finally, ask him to remove the TDSB logo from his website. Please be explicit with the in-kind materials ie the equipment will need to be explicit ie Equipment - headsets for all students... He mentions assessments - no to assessments (bc teacher role)
|
| Debbie Deer Productions | Virtual Technology and Production Workshop | Virtual Technology and production workshop immerses secondary students in using virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality (collectively known as XR) and the careers that lies in it. Black-identifying industry professionals lead sessions about virtual film production, augmented and mixed reality technology and how it is used to tell their own stories through film production. Facilitators share exciting new careers in film and VR industry. Students have opportunity to learn software such as AR and apply it themselves by making their own augmented reality filter and experience a VR demo with headset. Students may work to create projects and simulations and utilize AI for learning. Suitable: Grades 9-12
|
| Visions of Science Network for Learning | Visions of Science (VoS) STEM Workshops | The program provides students in grades 1-8 with enhanced STEM learning opportunities. Workshops provide hands on learning environments where students engage in scientific thinking and experimentation and be active solution-seekers in real world problems. Students build prototypes and models and participate in design challenges. Students will also be exposed to a variety of career options from STEM professionals. Specific topics include: Marble Run, Slime, Elephant Toothpaste, Buoyancy, Playmaker Coding Challenge, Hair & Hustle, Bath Bombs, To Infinity and Beyond, Playdoh Circuitry, Taste the Chill, Building Bridges; Operation. Sessions provide STEM learning for all students and an Afrocentric lens for Black-identifying youth. Suitable: Grades 1-8. After-school program Gr. 6-8 STEM Club: Engineering, Science, Robotics is available to select schools.
|
| York University | Wabaan _ Indigenous Initial Teacher Education | Wabaan is an Anishinabe (Ojibwa) word meaning it is tomorrow. It signifies commitment to a holistic program of teaching and learning that acknowledges the impacts of colonialism, and draws on the wisdom of ancestral teachings and contemporary leaders to put Indigenous futures into Indigenous hands. Rooted in Indigenous Thought, Wabaan will provide traditional and contemporary teachings from Indigenous Elders, educators, and community leaders virtually or in person. Responding to the urgent and long-standing need for a teacher education program that centers Indigenous worldviews, knowledges and pedagogies, York will work with TDSB Urban Indigenous Education Centre, teachers and students to support the development of a program that will educate a new generation of teachers prepared to address the needs of First Nation, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students, families and communities. |
| Heart of a Man (HOAM) Ltd. | Welcome Wellness | Overcome, elevate, inspire. Donovan is a motivational speaker who inspires others by sharing his story of mental health and wellness. He speaks of his battle with depression and educates on effective communication, vulnerability and resilience. Interactive discussion provides an inspirational message on Black mental health for young men and youth audiences. Integrating stories, statistics, and spoken word, students are engaged and provided with effective strategies for fostering wellness, coping, and reaching out to supports and community resources. The presentation inspires students in defining one’s own struggles, overcoming them with passion and ultimately finding one’s purpose in life. Serving: Grades 9 - 12
|
| West Neighbourhood House | Wellness 101 | Newcomer students can engage in discussions and activities centred around mental health and well-being, with emphasis on healthy relationships and self-care. As students transition into a new country, these arts-based sessions aim to support students by continuing to build community among the group, understanding stress and safety, deepening understanding regarding self-worth, and building awareness around relationships with the larger goal of overcoming barriers like social isolation, language, and making connections. Program includes 4 sessions. Facilitators and information can be provided in various languages. Suitable: Grades 9-12 |
| Community Arts Guild | What Was My Backyard? | This collaborative school and community project, is an interactive musical combining drama, dance, puppetry, music and visual arts to bring awareness of the Indigenous lives and lands of what is now Toronto. Inspired by a news article from 1908 that speaks about 11,000 year-old footprints found in clay beneath Toronto Harbour, this project brings awareness of Indigenous lives and history, asking us to think about the land we occupy and share, and what was here long ago where our homes, playgrounds, parks, streets and backyards now stand. Students work alongside professional Indigenous artist-educators in a series of 3 workshops culminating in a full musical performance with professional artists to their school community. Although available to serve across TDSB, priority will be given to schools in Scarborough area. Suitable: Gr. 4-12
|
| Lumenus Community Services | Whatever It Takes (WIT) | 'Whatever It Takes' (WIT) provides service coordination and transitional support to children and youth who have mental health issues and have complex service needs. WIT provides many services such as interim intensive case management, facilitation of community planning, clinical consultation and one-on-one support within student’s treatment plan to transition into a classroom or maintain the student effectively in the classroom until a more appropriate school placement or day treatment placement can be arranged. WIT facilitates the collaboration of service providers to respond to children/youth with complex needs or to those whose needs exceed the ability and capacity of any one service provider or sector. Program is in collaboration with PSS staff. Serving: Referred students, Kindergarten - Grade 12
|
| University Health Network | Whole School Approach to Eating Disorder Prevention | Engaging and age appropriate, risk factor-focused presentations are offered to students (Kindergarten to Grade 12) on body image, media literacy, conversations around food, and self-esteem. Professional learning capacity-building, interactive workshops for staff focus on spotting the signs, supporting an affected student, addressing body-based bullying, and embedding conversations into existing curriculum. Parent panels for the school community are also offered that create a space for parents to share their concerns about this topic while empowering them with resources to support their children’s well-being around eating, physical activity, and body image. Programming in-person or virtual through video-conferencing is an evidence-informed approach to eating disorder prevention available for all schools. |
| Hong Fook Mental Health Association | Wraparound: Making Healthy Choices | Led by Hong Fook Youth Program Worker, the CHOICES program, serving East Asian and international students from grades 7 – 12 helps youth to create new social connections and strengthen peer to peer relationships. Through games, group work and discussion, youths are able to develop strategies with a focus on life skills, including communication, healthy relationships, stress management, wellness, decision-making, and goal-setting. Suitable: Grades 7-12
|
| Beat the Streets | Wrestle 4 Fun | Students learn fundamentals from top-level Canadian wrestlers in this character-building and life skills workshop through the sport of wrestling. Virtual workshops are based on the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model and designed to introduce wrestling and drills to improve movement skills, agility, balance and coordination while providing no-contact delivery. For older students, workshops build positive character traits, coping strategies, building positive self-image and personal resiliency while providing a constructive and safe way to redirect energy through sport. Students learn time management, respecting others, friendly competition, rules and guidelines through the introduction to wrestling that all transfer to the classroom. Professional learning and certification are available to staff. Serving: Grades 1 - 12; staff |
| Ashley Seaman | Y.A.Y Improv for Wellness & Belonging | This workshop uses improv to practice empathetic communication, collaboration and mindfulness for students to achieve a greater sense of belonging and joy. Students learn meaningful tools in interacting and communicating with others as well as being in a safe spaces to take creative risks, explore spontaneity and embrace the unexpected all while having fun. Through play, games and exercises, students collaboratively create character, story, comedy and joyful connection with their peers. Through a workshop series, schools may work toward building a showcase to perform in front of an audience. Suitable: Grades 3-12 |
| Youth Alliance for Intersectional Justice | YAIJ's Afrocentric Accessibility Program | This 5-part series of learning circles (education sessions) is for teachers who teach students who utilize an IEP with a focus on anti-racist and anti-ableist (ie anti-Black ableism). This series will introduce staff to intersectional approaches to neurodiversity, and culturally grounded perspectives of dis/ability to better support Black students in Special Education. Workshops are also available for students that include Arts-based Self-Care, Neurodiversity and Me (self-advocacy at school); Augmented Allyship (resources, tech, people, strategies); Navigating Black Disability Futures (social networking, supportive discussions about the possibilities after high school). Suitable: Grades 9-12; Staff
|
| Jeff A.D. Martin | You Are Worth It | Empowerment assembly and leadership workshops targeted to building up and fostering character development among students. Presentation reinforces the following three points: turning your adversities into your advantages, believing in yourself, the power of self-affirmation. Jeff. A.D. Martin grew up in an underserved neighbourhood within Toronto, facing many disadvantages and can relate to the various struggles that students continue to face today. He shares his own personal stories, which includes loss through violence and also from his fifteen years in law enforcement within various detective roles. Workshops help students to step through their fears and build important life skills to find their life's passion. Suitable: Grades 4-12 |
| The National Ballet of Canada | YOU Dance | Led by teaching artists from The National Ballet of Canada, this program introduces students to the theatrical art of ballet and consists of two offerings, in-theatre performances with workshop (Grades 4-7) and in-school performance (Grades 1-6). The in-theatre performances feature five specially selected pieces danced by the National Ballet’s apprentices and accompanied by a pianist. Also included is an in-school workshop 45 minutes in length where students actively engage in movement techniques to develop their creative expression, learn a variety of dance styles, and repertoire while providing a learning experience for the teacher. The second offering is in-school performances named YOU Dance In-School Performances demystify the professional ballet world through a short performance with the National Ballet's apprentices, accompanied by a pianist, a host and a behind-the-scenes crew. Through an interactive discussion, students learn about The National Ballet of Canada, pointe shoes, partnering, ballet mime, and theatrical makeup. Students not only hear from artists who discuss their roles/jobs but also learn what it takes to produce a ballet. Limited availability.
The YOU dance performance is live streamed once a year to any school. |
| Green Hope Foundation | Youth Education through Environmental Education | Students are made aware of real world issues regarding sustainable development in these free assembly/workshops that blend art, music, dance, drama, and science while creating and achieving sustainability goals. Students learn about and discuss the impacts of climate change and ways to mitigate it, the importance of clean energy moving forward into the future, the need for biodiversity conservation, and ways we can adopt a model of sustainable consumption of earth's resources. Classroom learning is also complemented with outdoor local activities such as waste cleanups and waste segregation in order to demonstrate to students how to put 'words into action', learning that transcends classroom walls and school yards. Serves: All Students |
| YMCA of Greater Toronto | Youth Gambling Awareness Program | These workshops seek to raise awareness of youth gambling, online gaming, addiction and mental health. Facilitators highlight the difference between playing games and gambling, risks involved in gambling, harm reduction strategies, how to stay safe and make informed healthy decisions. Sessions encourage youth to explore a variety of gambling topics including: What's At Stake?, Play It Safe, Betting Sense; Game-Bling: When Gaming Meets Gambling; Media Impact; Stigma & Gambling. Delivered in French. Suitable: Grades 4-12 |
| Covenant House Toronto | Youth Homelessness Awareness and Prevention | Presentations raise awareness about youth homelessness and prevention; youth leadership and social responsibility on the issue; resources and community supports. Two presentations are available for student audiences: "Before You Run" covers a broad range of issues and circumstances that lead youth to the street. It discusses how the experiences of family breakdown, abuse, mental health, bullying, drugs, exploitation and stress can act as contributing factors to youth homelessness. "Reality Check" de-glamourizes street life and discusses the struggle homeless youth face; how they’re driven to steal, sell drugs or worse. Presentations also have students participate in an activity that highlights the hardship youth face while trying to live independently, without family support, education or career; and what their school community can do to engage with community supports. Serving: Grades 6 - 12 |
| YMCA of Greater Toronto | Youth Opioid Awareness Program | Presentation on opioids, use and its effects to the school community. Topics covered include introduction to opioids, addiction and opioid use disorder, how to help someone with an addiction, naloxone, and toxic drugs. Students hear about the stigma and learn how to implement changes to reduce stigma in society. The presentation also addresses protective factors and coping mechanisms that will minimize the risk of developing a substance use disorder and ways to get help. Suitable: Grades 9-12 |
| Ontario Association of Former Parliamentarians | Youth Outreach Project for Civic Engagement | Former Parliamentarians share their knowledge and experience on Parliamentary Democracy and civic engagement to secondary students. The presentation
shares Ontario Parliament functions, roles and responsibilities, parliamentary system of government, political process, civic engagement, political environment as well as
personal experiences and anecdotes and life on the job. The aim of the work is to engage students in the democratic, political process with the hope of building civic
participation amongst youth. Sessions concludes with a question and answer, class discussion and activities on civic engagement. Schools may request a specific speaker
that has a particular focus ie business, gender, disability rights. Serving: Grades 9-12
|
| Lumenus Community Services | Youth Outreach Workers (YOW) | This program provides outreach and support for referred youth who are identified as being at risk and may also present with a dual diagnosis or developmental disability, and/or identify as LGBTQ. It connects these youth with community resources to meet their immediate needs (such as employment, health, housing, recreation). Youth Outreach Workers are also available for presentations in secondary schools to increase all students' understanding of mental health and the local school community's engagement in issues of equity and social inclusion. The YOW can also assist the young person’s support network (home, school, peers) to access necessary resources to help them best support the youth. Serving: Referred students, Grades 9-12
|
| Yorktown Family Serivices | Youth Outreach Workers (YOW) in Schools | This program provides outreach and support for referred youth with high risk factors from equity deserving communities. It connects these youth with community resources to meet their immediate needs such as employment, health, housing, and recreation. Youth Outreach Workers are also available for presentations in secondary schools to increase all students' understanding of mental health and the local school community's engagement in issues of equity and social inclusion. If presentations are delivered, it will be reviewed with TDSB PSS staff. The YOW can also assist the young person's support network (home, school, peers) to access necessary resources to help them best support the youth. Serving: Gr. 7-12 students referred by Professional Support Services |
| Covenant House Toronto | Youth Reconnect | This partnership program is a collaborative approach to early intervention with students who are referred by Professional Support Services, to provide direct supports and reduce the risk of homelessness and disengagement from school. Professional Support Services staff work with Covenant House staff to provide referred students with wrap-around supports to stabilize their living situation, either by addressing issues at home (such as family conflict), or by helping students who can no longer stay at home find housing and community services (as needed). Professional Learning sessions are also available for staff to heighten their awareness of the signs of a youth's risk of homelessness, as well as information about appropriate supports in the community. Serving: referred Grades 9-12 students
|
| Empowerment Programs | Youth Skills for Life | Workshops offer practical tools to empower vulnerable/BIPOC youth with the skills to increase self awareness, self confidence and self-esteem. Facilitated by Suzanne Dunbar a Black female, these interactive sessions delivered in-person or virtually offer healthy problem-solving skills, strategies on changing negative thought patterns and reactive behaviours, and tools to navigate life’s challenges from a space of autonomy and self-reflection. Sessions use guiding questions to engage students, especially Black students, to develop a positive self-perception as they grow in their lives. Workshops include mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. Suitable: Grades 6 to 12; Staff |
| Youth Wellness Network | Youth Wellness Leaders | Programming in a school begins with an assembly, and then follows-up with workshop sessions for selected student leaders or classes in grades 5-12. Students’ mental health and well-being is enhanced through learning and sharing in a six module training that includes deepening students' understanding of mindfulness, self-esteem, emotional intelligence, conscious choice making, leadership, taking action: goal-setting. Each session focuses on developing daily practices and strategies that can boost self-esteem and confidence as well-being leaders. With sessions on How to Become Your Own Best Friend, and The Power of Your Choice, student wellness leaders gain knowledge and skills on how to create and sustain a culture of wellness in their school. Professional learning presentations, and parent workshops are also available for staff teams or parent councils. Suitable: Grades 5-12; staff; parents |
| YouthSpeak Charity | YouthSpeak Presentations | Trained youth speakers share their personal stories, experiences of struggle and their journey toward improved wellness. The stories are real, engaging, inspirational and relatable. Presentations build empathy and inclusion, deliver messages of perseverance and encourage students to use their voice and ask for help when needed. 'Stepping Up to Leadership' workshops are available to follow-up from assemblies. They highlight the four pillars to developing youth leadership: honesty, inclusivity, drive and compassion. Themes include: bullying, mental health, well-being, discrimination, anti-homophobia. Suitable: Grades 5-12 |
