What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 7pm Tuesday 9am - 7pm Wednesday 9am - 7pm Thursday 9am - 7pm Friday 12pm - 7pm

For Youth Initiative - FYI

FYI's vision is to end the cycle of inequity. We do this by supporting youth in York South-Weston as The population of York South-Weston is young.

For Youth Initiative was born out of the simple idea that given the chance, young people can become the successful adults they want to be. The organization was formed in 1995 as a pilot project by a group of non-profit professionals who shared the belief that all young people deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. Establishing the project in York South-Weston, a region in the far n

orthwest corner of Toronto where resources for youth were scarce, the group was well-situated to put their belief to work. York South-Weston

Weston Road near Lawrence Avenue West, 1963, City of Toronto Archives
York South-Weston is a vibrant community, rich in history and diversity. However, like many neighbourhoods along the fringes of Toronto, it has its challenges. York South-Weston was once an industrial centre where blue collar workers and their families settled around the factories that employed them. But as automation replaced labour and manufacturing went overseas, the factories that many families depended upon closed down. As a result, unemployment soared and local businesses shuttered their doors. The area now bears little resemblance to the thriving, self-sustaining community it once was. Today, York South-Weston comprises 6 neighborhoods that the City of Toronto has identified as neighborhood improvement areas, communities where funding and social services are needed to address significant social and economic issues. Due to its low cost of living, many single parent and working class families have made York South-Weston their home. In fact, almost a third of households are single parent homes, compared to 1 in 5 in Toronto. York South-Weston has the lowest household income in the Greater Toronto Area. In this diverse community, residents hail from the Caribbean, South America, Europe, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the horn of Africa. Of the nearly 115,000 people living in York South-Weston, over a quarter live under the poverty line. Of children (defined as under the age of 18), 2 in 5 live in poverty. Many teenagers and young adults live, learn and play here. Their attempts to establish themselves as they transition to adulthood are often frustrated by the barriers that persist in the area. Meagre local employment, few youth spaces and an isolated location disconnected from transit, jobs and post-secondary campuses often prevent the young residents of York South-Weston from participating in Toronto’s prosperity. For Youth Initiative
In 1995, the founders of For Youth Initiative established their project in a local community centre. Where others perceived challenges, they saw potential. They saw youth who were bright, strong and ready to take on opportunities to learn and grow. With that in mind, the founders set out on their mission. Soon, local youth began to pass through For Youth Initiative’s doors. As word spread, neighborhood residents who believed in the organization’s cause came to support For Youth Initiative and get involved. Over time, this modest pilot project grew into a bustling multiservice agency providing an array of services and programs to over 1,000 young residents each year. Today, For Youth Initiative is an important pillar of the York South-Weston community. Our community centre provides a safe space for local teenagers and young adults to learn and grow, explore new possibilities and celebrate their successes. Program participants come to For Youth Initiative to pursue their passions, develop their skills, and make decisions that will benefit themselves, their peers and their community. Through the programs at FYI, youth develop leadership skills that enable them to positively represent themselves and their community, advocate for their needs and share their vision for our city. The many youth who have come to For Youth Initiative each year provide a compelling demonstration of the idea that inspired the formation of the organization: given the chance, young people can become the successful adults they want to be!

05/25/2026

🙌 Hello FYI Community!!! We are happy to announce our new Stress Management Workshop.
Stress can impact us all and affect different aspects of our lives.

This workshop is designed to support participants with building and practicing stress management techniques.
This workshop is limited to 10 participants, if you happen to miss out on this workshop, please stay tuned for future dates.

⭐️Date: June 8, 2026 4:00PM
📍 Location: 1652 Keele St

Questions; [email protected]
Scan the QR code to register

05/19/2026

L.E.A.D. by Example

Ready to step into your leadership era? 💡
Join us for L.E.A.D. (Liberate • Envision • Advocate • Direct) — a space for youth to grow, build confidence, and lead with purpose.

⭐️Whether you’re finding your voice or strengthening it, this program is for YOU.
✨ Learn real-life leadership skills, connect with others, and make your impact.
👏 $25 gift card for participants

📅 Starts May 25/26, 2026
🕓 4:00 – 5:30 PM
📍 Mondays: 504 Oakwood Ave
📍 Tuesdays: 1652 Keele street

📩 Register or learn more:[email protected]
🔗 Scan the QR code to sign up!

Come lead, grow, and be the example 🌟

Empowerment YouthPrograms LeadTheWay

05/15/2026

Hello FYI community, our sites will be closed Monday, May 18, 2026 for the long weekend. We will be back on Tuesday, May 19, 2026! ☀️

05/15/2026

The FYI Scholarship is NOW OPEN for 2026! 🎓

Are you attending a Canadian post-secondary institution during the 2026/2027 school year? This is your chance to apply for a $2,500 scholarship to support your educational journey.

Registration link in bio 🔗

Are you attending a Canadian post-secondary institution during the 2026/2027 school year? This is your chance to apply for a $2,500 scholarship to support your educational journey 📚💡

At For Youth Initiative, we believe in investing in the future of our youth and helping remove barriers to success.

✅ Open to students 16-29 years old who are attending a Canadian post-secondary institution for the 2026/2027 academic year
✅ Priority given to youth connected to FYI and the York South-Weston & Oakwood-Vaughan communities (not mandatory)

🗓️ Registration closes: July 10, 2026 ‼️

Scan the QR code on the flyer to apply today!

For more information, contact:
📧 [email protected]

PostSecondary

05/08/2026

We're hiring — and this one's a big deal for our team. 🖤

For Youth Initiative is looking for an Executive Assistant to work alongside our Executive Director, Board, and fundraising team.

This isn't a "answer phones and book meetings" kind of role. It's embedded, trusted, and ownership-driven — the person who keeps everything moving so our leadership can stay focused on the young people we serve.

If you're someone who brings calm to chaos, follows up without being asked, and genuinely cares about community — we want to hear from you.

📍 On-site, Toronto | 💼 Full-time, permanent | 💰 $65,000–$70,000 + full benefits
Learn more and apply: www.foryouth.ca/work-with-us

We especially encourage applications from residents of York South-Weston and Oakwood-Vaughan, and anyone who identifies as Black, racialized, newcomer, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, or a person with a disability.

05/08/2026

L.E.A.D. by Example

Ready to step into your leadership era? 💡
Join us for L.E.A.D. (Liberate • Envision • Advocate • Direct) — a space for youth to grow, build confidence, and lead with purpose.

✨ Whether you’re finding your voice or strengthening it, this program is for YOU.
✨ Learn real-life leadership skills, connect with others, and make your impact.
✨$25 gift card for participants

📅 Starts May 18/19
🕓 4:00 – 5:30 PM
📍 Mondays: 1652 Keele St.
📍 Tuesdays: 504 Oakwood Ave.

📩 Register or learn more:[email protected]
🔗 Scan the QR code to sign up!

Come lead, grow, and be the example 🌟

Empowerment YouthPrograms LeadTheWay

04/03/2026

Hello FYI community, our sites will be closed Friday, April 3, 2026 & April 6, 2026 for the long weekend. We will be back on Tuesday, April 7, 2026! ☀️

03/11/2026

New blog on our website.

In this message, our Interim Executive Director, Brigitte Barikage reflects on what it means to support young people during a time of rising costs and growing challenges.

At For Youth Initiative, we see every day how mentorship, community, and opportunity can help youth move forward with confidence and purpose.

Brigitte shares why community organizations play such an important role in helping young people build their futures — and why this work matters now more than ever.

Read the blog:
https://ow.ly/Lz1550YsAiY

03/09/2026

Explore Your Future This March Break!
Curious about university life? Join us for an exciting campus tour at Western University and experience what post-secondary education could look like for you.
✨ What to expect:
• Guided campus tour
• Learn about scholarships & bursaries
• Explore programs and student life
• Ask questions about university pathways

📅 March 16, 2026
🚌 Pick-up at 7:00 AM
📍 1652 Keele Street (keele Hub)

For contact information: .fyi or [email protected]

This is a great opportunity for youth to see a university campus firsthand and start imagining their future in higher education.
📲 Scan the QR code to register!

03/09/2026

Explore Your Future This March Break!
Curious about university life? Join us for an exciting campus tour at Western University and experience what post-secondary education could look like for you.
✨ What to expect:
• Guided campus tour
• Learn about scholarships & bursaries
• Explore programs and student life
• Ask questions about university pathways

📅 March 9, 2026
🚌 Pick-up at 7:00 AM
Location: 1652 Keele Street Keele Hub (Keele Hub)
For contact information: .fyi or [email protected]

This is a great opportunity for youth to see a university campus firsthand and start imagining their future in higher education.
📲 Scan the QR code to register!

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Contact the organization

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Telephone

+14166533311

Website

http://www.foryouth.ca/

Address

1652 Keele Street , Unit 108
Toronto, ON
M6M3W3

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 7pm
Tuesday	9am - 7pm
Wednesday	9am - 7pm
Thursday	9am - 7pm
Friday	12pm - 7pm