YMCA Youth Leadership Programs
It's your future. Make it better and brighter.
Do you want to expand your horizons, develop yourself, or get things back on track? We’re here for you. The YMCA’s youth engagement programs are all about young people to be the best they can be regardless of circumstance.
YMCA Youth Leadership programs help you tap into your potential — one step at a time.
- Receive training and mentorship to help become a community leader
- Build self-esteem and gain confidence
- Gain leadership skills and discover new opportunities
- Connect to a positive group of friends and mentors
- Exchange programs to help you experience more of Canada
Explore Youth Leadership Programs
YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange
The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange (SWSE) program is a national exchange program for 16 and 17-year-olds living in Canada.
Youth Leadership Advancement Program (LEAP)
LEAP is a six-month paid employment program. Youths ages 15 – 30 years will participate in four weeks of paid pre-employment training, followed by a six-month paid employment placement.
Y Mind
The Y Mind program is an innovative, youth informed, early intervention program that helps teens and young adults manage stress and anxiety. Y Mind helps young people cope with anxiety and improve their sense of well-being by introducing them to evidence-based tools and connecting them with others.
YMCA Head Start
Student's looking for part-time or summer employment are welcome to our Job Search Camp.
Youth Educational Supports Program (YESP)
YESP is a support-focused program designed for students in Grades 11 and 12, as well as first-year post-secondary students. The goal is to help youth stay in school and build the future they envision.
The program offers a combination of tutoring, workshops, mentoring, career planning, and personalized one-on-one support. There are many opportunities within this program for Post secondary application support, bursary support and educational grant application support.
Apply: [email protected]
Youth Exchanges Canada Program
The YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada (YEC) Program offers your youth group, aged 12 to 17, the opportunity to travel to another part of Canada for a life-changing experience.
YMCA Scholarships
YMCA Scholarships recognizes the contributions students make in building our community and helps them financially to reach their potential in post-secondary education.
EDGE program
The EDGE program is an employability program designed for individuals 18-26 to help individuals build confidence, overcome anxiety, and develop job readiness skills through non-traditional learning methods. It emphasizes physical activity, mindfulness, mentorship, resume and cover letter building, and creative expression as key components to foster personal growth. Through engaging activities such as game-based interview skill practice, outdoor sessions, crafts, and therapeutic arts, participants improve their communication skills and emotional well-being. By blending fun with practical skills development and mentorship, EDGE supports participants in becoming confident, capable job candidates.
YMCA Head Start
Student’s looking for part-time or summer employment are welcomed to our Job Search Camp.
Workshops include:
✓ Resume Development
✓ Career Planning
✓ Job Search
✓ Interview Preparation
✓ Access to online career tool for students
✓ Community Project
✓ Volunteer Opportunities
✓ Training allowance
To register please contact: [email protected]