Search
Close this search box.

YMCA Youth Leadership Programs

It's your future. Make it better and brighter.

Do you want to expand your horizons, develop yourself, or get things back on track? We’re here for you. The YMCA’s youth engagement programs are all about young people to be the best they can be regardless of circumstance. 

YMCA Youth Leadership programs help you tap into your potential — one step at a time. 

  • Receive training and mentorship to help become a community leader
  • Build self-esteem and gain confidence
  • Gain leadership skills and discover new opportunities
  • Connect to a positive group of friends and mentors 
  • Exchange programs to help you experience more of Canada
WhatsApp Image 2021-11-01 at 2.30.07 PM belonging 1
thumbnail

Explore Youth Leadership Programs

YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange

The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange (SWSE) program is a national exchange program for 16 and 17-year-olds living in Canada.

Youth Leadership Advancement Program (LEAP)

LEAP is a six-month paid employment program. Youths ages 15 – 30 years will participate in four weeks of paid pre-employment training, followed by a six-month paid employment placement.

Y Mind

The Y Mind program is an innovative, youth informed, early intervention program that helps teens and young adults manage stress and anxiety. Y Mind helps young people cope with anxiety and improve their sense of well-being by introducing them to evidence-based tools and connecting them with others. 

YMCA Head Start

Student's looking for part-time or summer employment are welcome to our Job Search Camp.

Youth Exchanges Canada Program

The YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada (YEC) Program offers your youth group, aged 12 to 17, the opportunity to travel to another part of Canada for a life-changing experience. 

Youth Transitions Program

YMCA Youth Transitions Program (YTP) is a free service focused on providing support to youth aged 13–19 who are facing barriers in their lives. These barriers could be related to school, employment, peers, family, housing or addictions. 

YMCA Scholarships

YMCA Scholarships recognizes the contributions students make in building our community and helps them financially to reach their potential in post-secondary education. 

YMCA Community Action Network

The YMCA Community Action Network (YCAN) is one of Canada’s national youth service initiatives, part of the Canada Service Corps. This is for young adults aged 15 to 30.

Registration is ongoing. Please contact the YCAN Coordinator for more information: [email protected]

YMCA Community Action Network

The YMCA Community Action Network (YCAN) is one of Canada’s national youth service initiatives, part of the Canada Service Corps. The program is for young adults aged 15 to 30, and is led completely by the participants! Groups identify needs in their community and create service projects to address them, gaining employable skills throughout their journey.

In partnership with other YMCAs across Canada, youth from regional communities are recruited, trained, and mentored to successfully select, lead, deliver, and evaluate service initiatives in their own communities.

YCAN is a good fit for you if:

✓   You are between the ages of 15-30.

✓   You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.

✓   You are passionate about learning new skills, building community connections, and making a difference in your community.

Check what the previous community changers said about the program:

YMCA Head Start

Student’s looking for part-time or summer employment are welcomed to our Job Search Camp. 

Workshops include: 
 
✓   Resume Development
✓   Career Planning
✓   Job Search 
✓   Interview Preparation
✓   Access to online career tool for students 
✓   Community Project
✓   Volunteer Opportunities 
✓   Training allowance 

To register please contact: [email protected]

By using our site, you accept cookies to enrich your visit and helps us create a better experience for everyone!