Important Notice:
At Youth Assisting Youth, we enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy for abusive behavior, including verbal threats, manipulation, or disrespect toward our staff, volunteers, and clients. We require all participants to maintain a respectful, inclusive environment. Any violations may lead to immediate removal from our programs.
Please Also Note:
• We work hard to match each child with a volunteer mentor. We kindly ask for your understanding and patience throughout the process.
• We are currently experiencing extended wait times due to a shortage of volunteer mentors and staff.
• Matching a child with a mentor depends on each child’s specific needs and the availability of a suitable volunteer in their local community.
• A one-to-one mentor cannot be guaranteed for all applicants.
• Applications may be declined during pre-screening based on a child’s needs and level of difficulty.
• We are under no obligation to accept a child or match them with a volunteer mentor.
• Self-referrals are accepted only from newcomer parents/guardians.
• Canadian parents/guardians (non-newcomers) must secure a referral from a professional.
• For more information, contact us at [email protected] or 416-932-1919.
Where we work
We service Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, York Region (Thornhill, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Newmarket and Aurora). Our Head Office is located in North York, Toronto.
What we do
We fully screen, train and support all of our youth mentors. This includes a vulnerable police background check, professional reference check and a full in-home assessment. Mentors must complete our mandatory Mentor Training and if appropriate our Youth Mental Health Training and Youth Learning Challenges Training. Mentors are also fully supported by a staff social worker for the duration of the mentoring relationship, as well as ongoing, 24/7 emergency support.
Our volunteer program is free and we provide monthly no-cost Group Youth Mentoring events and activities for our mentor matches (i.e. Jays and Raptors games, bowling, holiday events, movie nights and more). We also provide support and monitoring through our Parent Support Workers, who obtain periodical updates from the family regarding the match and help to troubleshoot issues as they arise.
Who are our mentors
Youth Assisting Youth recruits volunteer mentors who are between the ages of 16 and 29. Our program uses a peer-mentoring model that matches youth-to-youth, leading to a deeper more transformative impact. We match mentors with at-risk or newcomer youth that are between the ages of 6 and 15 years old.
Our mentors are typically university / college students or young professionals who want to make a difference in their community. They give back by providing an at-risk kid with guidance, support and a positive influence and role model.
Mentors are not therapists, counselors or babysitters. Our expectation of a mentor is to become a friend and set a positive and healthy example. If they are comfortable doing so, mentors may provide tutoring for their mentee. But tutoring is not an expectation or requirement.
Mentor time commitment
We ask mentors to commit to meeting with their mentee on a consistent, weekly basis, including an average of 10 hours per month for a minimum of 1 year. Matches may continue beyond 1 year if both parties agree to remain matched.
Francophone Services
- Newcomer youth are non-Canadian citizens, living in Canada for 10 years or less, and are ages 6-15.
- Canadian youth are born in Canada or living in Canada for more than 10 years, and are ages 6-15.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Self-referrals are ONLY accepted from newcomer parents/guardians. Canadian parents/guardians (non-newcomers) must secure a referral from a professional. For more information, contact us at [email protected] or 416-932-1919.
