Peer Mentoring Training Program
Youth Assisting Youth is committed to providing volunteers with the tools and resources needed to help them and their juniors reach their full potential. We promote the concept of life long learning and are dedicated to offering opportunities for both our Youth volunteers and the children we serve. With the high value that we place on skill development our agency has increased our training program to include the following workshops and resources. Mandatory Sessions: Child Abuse Awareness, Multicultural and Diversity Awareness, Child Management Skills, Mentoring Workshop and Substance Abuse Awareness.
We vary our workshops based on community and volunteers' needs.
Benefits to youth who participate in this program include:
- increased knowledge of issues facing children and youth;
- development of skills which will improve their relationships with others (i.e. family, school and work peers);
- development of skills which could be useful in their future career choice;
- enhanced ability to be effective role models;
- a valuable addition to their 'new' resume;
- a certificate to show their participation and completion of this program
Saddle Up for Success
"Saddle Up for Success" is a prize-winning horseback riding program designed to help waiting list children develop self-control, learn to follow directions and increase self-esteem. The 2004-2005 program worked with more than 240 children, each of whom took eight two-hour lessons. Each lesson included one hour of riding and one hour of stable management, with instruction in grooming, cleaning tack and learning basic equine information.
An important asset to Saddle Up is participation of Toronto Police Service (TPS) Officers from 31, 33 and 41 Divisions. These Officers drive children from their areas to and from the stable and even take riding lessons with the young people. The net result is a positive relationship between the Officers and the children.
Pre-Match Program
Youth Assisting Youth is one of the only agencies who can provide services to both the children and their families on our waiting list. The Saddle Up for Success program was designed to address the children waiting on the pre- match list. YAY also invites pre-match children and families to events such as the Family Picnic in June and various free monthly events throughout the year.
Tri-Mentoring Program
This program was developed to enable young people to maximize their potential with the assistance of a business professional. A Tri-Mentoring relationship includes an "at risk" child/youth, Youth Volunteer and a corporate mentor. Corporate mentors provide our Youth Volunteers with career guidance, networking opportunities and ongoing encouragement to assist them in meeting their goals.