Programs for Youth

Youth programs offer support and guidance to help youth reach their goals and become caring and healthy adults.  Most programs focus on recreation, education, employment, social skills, leadership skills, and healthy relationships.  Many programs are for youth between 13 and 18 years old.  Some programs are open to young adults up to 24 years old. There are many programs for young parents and women. 

These programs focus on many things like:

• Getting involved in community projects
• Finding a job
• Managing money
• Looking for career and university/college options
• Doing well in school
• Staying healthy
• Having fun
• Arts and culture
• And many other topics. 

Programs and services for immigrant youth who are new to Canada help these youth:

• Settle in their new community and school
• Find a job
• Begin building a career in Canada
• Gain self-confidence
• Respect cultural heritage
• Feel like they belong
• Enjoy Canada’s multicultural society. 

To find out more about youth programs in Waterloo Region visit:

• YMCA Newcomer Youth Integration Program
• YMCA Cross Cultural and Immigrant Services in Cambridge
• Local community organizations, community centres, and libraries have many youth groups and programs.
• Ethnocultural and religious groups may also have youth groups and programs.

For more information…

• Youth Connect is a website for youth that is developed by the Government of Ontario.
• Thrive! The Canadian Centre for Positive Youth Development
• Youth Issues & Opportunities provided by the Government of Ontario