A New Chapter for YAY
Youth Assisting Youth has entered a new chapter.
After 37 years of long-term leadership, we’re changing and moving forward with clarity, purpose and vision. YAY is now led by Executive Director, Ed Carlson, who brings 25 years of experience empowering youth, including 17 years with YAY, where he’s helped build programs, revenue and impact.
Our organization and core 1:1 Peer Mentoring Program were formed in 1976 as a youth crime prevention initiative. Since then, we’ve supported over 10,000 children and youth, and we’ve been a force for youth volunteerism in Toronto for almost 50 years.
We’re also evolving beyond peer mentorship into an integrated youth empowerment model that connects all young people to the support and opportunities they need to thrive, including mental health counselling, tutoring, girls and boys empowerment programs, scholarships, resources, training and inclusive spaces that strengthen the mentee, youth mentor and their mentoring relationship.
Our model is designed to have a Dual Impact. We support older youth volunteer mentors with training, leadership development and resources to help them achieve their educational and career goals, as they in turn mentor the next generation to help them build resilience, increase confidence and do better at school and home, no matter what obstacle stands before them. Over time, mentees become mentors, creating a cycle of mentorship, leadership and opportunity.
We firmly believe that our unique model, one based on the power of relationships, mentorship and connection, is more critical than ever before. In today’s world of algorithms, social media and screens, relationships are one of the most powerful ways to help young people stay connected, succeed in school and build their future.
Our vision is to transform from the old world charity mindset to the new world business model. We’re building a modern YAY that will allow us to grow, expand and scale our program to empower more young people. To do that, we must rebuild and strengthen our organization, modernize our infrastructure and increase our capacity. But we cannot do it alone.
If you believe in the power of youth to change the future, we would love to connect. Whether you’re a funder, partner, donor, volunteer or community member, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can help youth change the future.
