Providing employment and skills training for Toronto youth

A young person in a YouthWorx yellow t-shirt standing outside trimming a hedge.

In 2021, TCHC’s YouthWorx program continued to empower young people across our city by providing meaningful employment and on-the-job experience.

For eight weeks during the summer, 63 participants carried out work in 61 community sites as Youth Community Workers.

A young person in a YouthWorx t-shirt squatting down to pull up weeds.

The comprehensive program employed young people aged 14 to 29, reducing barriers for many who were seeking summertime work. Through YouthWorx, many find employment opportunities for the first time. Last year in the East Region, nearly 75 per cent of the youth in the cohort were younger than 18 years old and for 85 per cent of them, it was their first job.

In 2021, TCHC’s YouthWorx program continued to empower young people across our city by providing meaningful employment and on-the-job experience.

For eight weeks during the summer, 63 participants carried out work in 61 community sites as Youth Community Workers.

A young person in a YouthWorx t-shirt squatting down to pull up weeds.

The comprehensive program employed young people aged 14 to 29, reducing barriers for many who were seeking summertime work. Through YouthWorx, many find employment opportunities for the first time. Last year in the East Region, nearly 75 per cent of the youth in the cohort were younger than 18 years old and for 85 per cent of them, it was their first job.

YouthWorx participant in a yellow uniform shirt is kneeling on the ground to pull up weeds.
YouthWorx participant in a yellow uniform shirt is kneeling on the ground to pull up weeds.

As part of gaining work experience, applicants submitted resumes, participated in interviews and were hired to work on regional teams in TCHC’s communities doing small-scale labour jobs. 2021 was also the first time that YouthWorx relied on virtual platforms to recruit and train its staff.

The participating Youth Community Workers took part in virtual sessions focused on mental, emotional and personal growth, all in preparation for future employment opportunities.

To be able to deploy youth workers to TCHC communities in the middle of a pandemic yet still maintain high attendance and engagement as well as a successful rate of work completion is a proud accomplishment. It was made possible by staff and Youth Community Workers who were dedicated to this program. They rose to the challenge of providing high-quality work in a safe, healthy environment, setting up talented young people for success.

Here are some highlights from the year.

  • 61 community sites impacted
  • 63 participants
  • 8 weeks of programming
  • 15 facilitators
  • 26 virtual sessions
A woman in a blue dress looks on as a young person in a YouthWorx t-shirt trims a plant outside.

To be able to deploy youth workers to TCHC communities in the middle of a pandemic yet still maintain high attendance and engagement as well as a successful rate of work completion is a proud accomplishment. It was made possible by staff and Youth Community Workers who were dedicated to this program. They rose to the challenge of providing high-quality work in a safe, healthy environment, setting up talented young people for success.

Here are some highlights from the year.

  • 61 community sites impacted
  • 63 participants
  • 8 weeks of programming
  • 15 facilitators
  • 26 virtual sessions
A woman in a blue dress looks on as a young person in a YouthWorx t-shirt trims a plant outside.
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