YouthLink: Welcome

History

In 1914, the organization was launched as the Big Sister Movement of Toronto currently known as "YouthLink."

In the beginning, the Big Sister Movement of Toronto served teenage girls who had no family support and were fighting their way through the justice system. The members called themselves Big Sisters who voluntarily gave the “little sisters” food, clothing, employment and educational opportunities.

The agency separated into different groups to serve young girls all over Toronto. In 1980, Big Sister Movement of Toronto became Canada’s first outreach program for reducing youth homelessness. Nine years later they changed their name to YouthLink serving both men and women.

2004 is when YouthLink officially relocated to Scarborough because of the insufficient services available to the youth in this community. In 2018, the organization opened Scarborough’s only transitional housing for homeless youth.

YouthLink: Text

Vision:

To imagine a strong Scarborough where all youth and their families thrive.

Mission:

To join with youth, families and partners to highlight and develop strengths, aspirations and positive actions that improve the health and well-being of all who live, work, study and play in our community.

Values:

Leadership, humanity, innovation, respect and excellence.

YouthLink: Quote

The Youth They Serve

Age

YouthLink serves male and female youths between the ages of 12 to 24. Parents, guardians and caregivers can also come in for guidance.
There is no fee to use any of the YouthLink services. A health card and ID is not asked for upon arriving at one of the centres. This allows for anyone to seek help and support without providing any information.

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Sexual Orientation

YouthLink welcomes youth of any sexual orientation. They strive to be an open and safe environment for all youth.

Religion

Youth of all religions are welcome and are free to practice their faith.

Ethnocultural Diversity

Diversity is valued at YouthLink. Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated.

YouthLink: Clients

Service Options

Yes, you can thrive.

What’s Up Walk-In Counselling Clinic

This is a FREE counselling service for youth ages 12 to 24 and their families across Toronto. It can help with issues like depression, bullying, sexual identity, behavioural concerns or anything else that’s on your mind. In addition to English, the counsellors at YouthLink speak Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Urdu, Hindi, Armenian and French.
Come to the clinic if you want to learn how to deal with stress or how to stay positive and balance your emotions, learn to deal with a family conflict, talk about positive relationships, how to study for test or if you just need to talk to some one.
You are welcome to come to this counselling clinic on your own, with a friend or a family member.

Youth Advocating Anti-Homophobia Awareness (YAAHA) group

YAAHA was created by LGBTQ2 youth for LGBTQ2 youth, 13 to 24, who identify along gender or sexual diversity spectrums and seek an inclusive, affirming drop-in group.

Pathways to Education

YouthLink is proud to offer the award-winning Pathways to Education™ program to high school students living in Scarborough Village. Since 2009 the agency has been working with students, teachers, school boards and community members to support more students in Scarborough Village to graduate from high school and move on to university, college, training or a job!

This program offers:

Academic supports: Free tutoring 4 nights a week

Social supports: One-to-one, group and career mentoring

Financial supports: Immediate financial supports such as TTC tickets. Post-secondary education bursaries are also available, depending on funding availability and your participation in the program for at least 2 full years.

Co-op housing with mentoring

YouthLink’s co-op housing program provides affordable housing for young people aged 16 to 21. Successful applicants stay for up to a year, with longer time periods possible upon application and review with the Youth Transition Worker and Live-In Mentor. During this time residents are able to maintain or enhance their schooling, employment or both. YouthLink staff can assist them in transitioning to their next housing option, by helping them to access financial and housing supports as well as complete housing applications.

YouthLink: Programs

Youth Residential Treatment Home and Program

For young women, 14 to 18, who identify with their birth sex as well as for those young people who are gender independent, fluid or trans-identified and identify as female. Residents receive intensive live-in support away from their family, foster family or group home, in order to establish wellness and develop life-skills through training. Up to 9 youth can be housed at one time.

Transitional Home in Scarborough for Youth Who Are Homeless

Co-ed facility with 10 emergency and 41 long-term beds, including rooms for couples. This shelter has a dog kennel for those youth who want to bring their pets along with them.