School may be out for the summer, but the Toronto District School Board is doing what it can to ensure children and youth have safe and positive places to work and play.
The TDSB's Focus on Youth Toronto (FOYT) program, which offers free school space for community-based programs in inner-city communities and provides mentorship and employment opportunities for nearly 500 young people, was highlighted at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (CYC) on Friday, July 23.FOYT programs are designed to encourage healthy living and boost self-esteem among youth while engaging them in fields that interest them. This provides them with social opportunities when not in school and allows parents to feel comfortable their children will be in a safe environment while the parents work.In downtown Toronto, FOYT programs are offered at Rose Avenue Junior Public School, Winchester Junior and Senior Public School and the CYC, among other locations."We have a junior play group program for kids four or five years old, an arts camp, a sports and active games camp, evening basketball and soccer leagues," said TDSB superintendent Jim Spyropoulos. "It's an amazingly full service."Funded by the Ministry of Education with help from the United Way, Toronto Community Housing and the City of Toronto, the program serves countless youngsters across the city.While FOYT is a city-wide initiative, Spyropoulos said the Cabbagetown Youth Centre has long been a leader in providing services for underserved youth."We have 10 sites modelled on the Cabbagetown model from Scarborough to Etobicoke," he said.That model encourages young men and women who have used the CYC's various programs to take on leadership roles within their own neighbourhoods."The counsellors have grown up in this community," Spyropoulos said. "They've grown up in this program, so there's a sense of ownership and community spirit."Michael Papathanakis of the CYC said the feedback from the program has been amazing among both the youth who enjoy the services, those who find work through FOYT, and parents. One of the keys to success, he said, is the strong support the youth receive along the way."We're here if they need anything or feel uncomfortable or like they'd need someone to talk to about a situation," he said. "There are many different agencies who use this program and it's all for kids in high-risk areas who can work for agencies near their home or maybe away if they feel they want to get out of their community to work."TDSB trustee Sue Wong said FOYT should be a year-round initiative, given that children are often left without social, educational and recreational opportunities during weekends, over March and winter breaks and at other times throughout the school year.She said that would allow skills learned in the classroom to be practised all through the year.She said FOYT is a shining example of what can happen when community agencies work together to improve life for children and youth."Every time I come and see these programs, I see hope, opportunity and new skills being learned," she said. "Most importantly, I see the fact that these programs keep the streets safe and also keep our kids healthy and strong."