| 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. |
| Djennie Laguerre | Words in Movement: Dance, Theater, Storytelling | An interactive dance and storytelling workshop in French or English, to enable students to create their own story. The storytelling workshop uses drama, music, song, dance, word games to enhance students’ communication skills and theatre skills. The dance workshop uses Afro-Caribbean beats and music to enable the students to not only learn about francophone Afro-Caribbean culture but also learn to create a brand new choreography. The workshops series culminates in a class performance. Serving: Grades 1 - 8 |
| 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 5 - 12 |
| 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
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| Basketball Beginnings Inc. | Yes I Can: Physical Literacy & Mentorship | Sessions in physical literacy build referred students' engagement in building their school communities through developing their leadership skills, and pairing with a mentor. These sports-based mentorships instill positive attitudes towards learning, positive goal orientation and motivational patterns that enhances student success, particularly for those that have disengaged with scholastic endeavours. Basketball Beginnings staff are also available for outreach and support of referred students during instructional time, as needed. Suitable: Grades 1-8 |
| Cooperative de Travailleurs 3 Mamans Yoginis | Yoga en Francais | Delivered by French speaking facilitators, these in-person or virtual workshops offer tools for students to lower stress and anxiety through yoga while practising their French listening and speaking skills. The vocabulary, poses and techniques are adapted to primary, elementary or secondary students. Activities include body movement, relaxation techniques, games, music and hearing from topics on health and wellness. Students are better aware of their emotions and physical well-being and be able to focus in class. Workshops are suitable for students in core, extended and French immersion. |
| 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. |
| Story Planet | Young Writers | Led by professional writers and artists, Story Planet workshops provide students the opportunity to develop their skills in creative expression and literacy through story creation across a variety of media, including writing, illustration, and digital media. Fun, interactive programs immerse students in the creative process as they work in groups and independently to write and share stories. Most programs result in a printed book or e-book of their work. Students can also work towards content for our podcast including creating songs, stories, poems, and interviews. A bi-annual anthology of selected work from students can be published according to the themes of each book. Serving: Grades 1 - 8; Professional Learning for Staff
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| Skills For Life Inc. | Youth Empowerment Through Life Skills | These in-person or virtual sessions help develop important life skills and to develop the positive personal and professional networks for success. By understanding and developing qualities of self and emotional intelligence, students develop a growth mindset to take on the world and its challenges. Workshop topics include: self-esteem, goal setting, networking, self-discovery and community engagement. Interactive workshops utilize storytelling, multimedia videos, quotes, games and discussions.
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| Aliyah Burey | Youth Empowerment Virtual Spoken Word | Using spoken word poetry, in virtual sessions Aliyah Burey speaks an uplifting and empowering message to youth through the narrative of her life experience. Students are exposed to diverse literary styles while increasing their enthusiasm towards literacy and building the tools for self-expression. Spoken word being an artistic expression to explore and reflect upon themes such as the intersectionalities of race culture and gender gives youth an understanding of diversity and ways to overcome challenges that they face. Schools can choose between spoken word performance and/or workshop. |
| 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 |
| 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
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| 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
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| The Youth Empowerment Program | 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, 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 delivered in person or virtually, use guiding questions to engage students, especially Black students, to develop a positive self-perception as they grow in their lives.
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| YMCA of Greater Toronto | Youth Substance Use | Free presentation on substance use and its effects to school community. Substances covered are alcohol, cannabis, opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA/ecstasy, GHB, ketamine, hallucinogens. Presentation addresses what the products are, their categories, physical and mental impacts, short and long term impacts and strategies for harm reduction. Facilitators address the causes of use and indicators that people may be using substances and ways to get help. A question and answer will follow each presentation. Suitable: Grades 9-12; staff; parents/caregivers |
| 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 |
