How We Help Teens

Our teen services provide social networking, educational support and integration opportunities for youth who are new to Canada.  Programming is offered both as after-school recreation and at various locations depending on the group.

Youth Employment Workshop

Employment counsellors inform  students about the importance of having a part time or summer job, interview etiquette, work culture, job fairs, websites and accessing community resources. with job postings.

Resume Writing

This Resume Workshop helps young job seekers to successfully write resumes by identifying transferable skills,decide upon job objectives, learn about the importance of work experience and acquire limited business writing skills.

Summer Programs

Newcomer Youth Summer Program

Newcomer Orientation Week (NOW)

For many newcomer students, high school in Ontario is very different from their previous school and the first few months can be stressful. But a new program promises to give them a better start.

NOW activities orient students to the people and activities that can help them settle in their new school. The activities include a scavenger hunt to help them learn the layout of the building, skits about the challenges of school in a new country, a visit to the local library and an introduction to the sources of help and support in their school.

A key feature of NOW is the role of Peer Leaders, students who were themselves newcomers in previous years. In the week before the NOW, the Peer Leaders are trained to run the program, which they deliver with the support of teachers and settlement workers.

NOW is part of the Settlement Workers in Schools program and is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada

To view NOW Program brochure, please click here.

Summer 2010 NOW Program starts August 30^th, 2010 and are being offered at the following school:

For registration and more information please contact Settlement Worker on location.

 To view full schedule of summer programs, please click here.

Learning Circles

Arts and Recreation

Leadership for Aspiring Mentors  

This is an ongoing workshop to develop leadership skills for aspiring mentors. This program is especially beneficial for newcomer youth so that they become active and productive members of community.  

Let's Get Active

This is a two day workshop for newcomer students of grade 6 to high school. It is geared towards encouraging students to engage in physical activities. The children have a fun time swimming, playing basket ball and other group games at a YMCA facility. They are also introduced to the Z beside the Y where teens and young adults  get involved in a variety of activities in a safe, positive and inclusive environment.

 Youth Centre

The YMCA of Cambridge has been offering youth leadership development opportunities for more than 150 years. The youth centre is an excellent example of how the YMCA builds strong kids and strong families.  Our efforts are consistent with the YMCA's Mission and Values. As a result, there is a unique emphasis upon:

• Healthy youth in spirit, mind and body

• Strong families

• Diversity by accepting differences

 We give youth a place where they feel like they belong and the encouragement to strive to become more.  For more information on the youth centre, click here.